The application of different coatings on solar photovoltaic(PV)panels can be an efficient solution to increase performance and further mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases.This study uses the Life Cycle Assessmen...The application of different coatings on solar photovoltaic(PV)panels can be an efficient solution to increase performance and further mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases.This study uses the Life Cycle Assessment(LCA)methodology and the environmental payback concept to analyze the effects of the application of a nano-silica coating on a solar PV system installed in the Brazilian Northeast.Firstly,an uncoated reference 16.4 MW PV system is designed,and the detailed inventory is presented(PV panels,supporting structure,inverters,junction boxes,cables,transportation,maintenance and operation-including the replacement of equipment).The results of the LCA quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the PV system.Electricity production is estimated by technical and local climate data.Subsequently,the environmental payback time of the system is calculated,which is the time required for the PV system to offset the emissions associated with system manufacturing,operation,and disposal.This is the first Brazilian study to verify the effects of a self-cleaning coating on a solar PV system throughout its lifetime,compared to the uncoated(reference system).The original photovoltaic system emitted 22,534,773 kg CO_(2)-eq,with an environmental payback of 5 years and 1 day.When the self-cleaning coating is applied,the emissions are 21,511,317 kg CO_(2)-eq(almost 5%lower)with a payback of 4 years,1 month and 26 days.The application of self-cleaning coatings reduces the required area for installation(due to increased efficiency),and not only reduces emissions but is also aligned with global sustainability targets and contributes to the concept of sustainable and intelligent cities.展开更多
基金support of the Paraíba State Research Foundation(FAPESQ)(call No.09/2021)National Council for Scientific and Technological Development(CNPq Productivity Grants 309452/2021-0,308753/2021-6)+1 种基金Scientific Initiation Scholarships(PIBIC)within the Federal University of Paraíba(UFPB)Silvia Guillén Lambea thanks Grant RYC2021-034265-I funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by“European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR”。
文摘The application of different coatings on solar photovoltaic(PV)panels can be an efficient solution to increase performance and further mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases.This study uses the Life Cycle Assessment(LCA)methodology and the environmental payback concept to analyze the effects of the application of a nano-silica coating on a solar PV system installed in the Brazilian Northeast.Firstly,an uncoated reference 16.4 MW PV system is designed,and the detailed inventory is presented(PV panels,supporting structure,inverters,junction boxes,cables,transportation,maintenance and operation-including the replacement of equipment).The results of the LCA quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the PV system.Electricity production is estimated by technical and local climate data.Subsequently,the environmental payback time of the system is calculated,which is the time required for the PV system to offset the emissions associated with system manufacturing,operation,and disposal.This is the first Brazilian study to verify the effects of a self-cleaning coating on a solar PV system throughout its lifetime,compared to the uncoated(reference system).The original photovoltaic system emitted 22,534,773 kg CO_(2)-eq,with an environmental payback of 5 years and 1 day.When the self-cleaning coating is applied,the emissions are 21,511,317 kg CO_(2)-eq(almost 5%lower)with a payback of 4 years,1 month and 26 days.The application of self-cleaning coatings reduces the required area for installation(due to increased efficiency),and not only reduces emissions but is also aligned with global sustainability targets and contributes to the concept of sustainable and intelligent cities.
