Why is LCA conducted on multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic systems in China?

LCA is conducted on the multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic systems in China. Multi-Si production is the most contributor to the energy demand and environmental impacts. Compared to other power generation systems in China, PV system is more environmentally friendly. Areas with higher solar radiation are more suitable for installing PV systems.

Can solar PV be an alternative to Chinese crystalline silicon?

In Southeast Asia, labor costs are low, and energy is subsidized. In India domestic-content requirements and customs duties have been implemented. In addition to these efforts, solar PV recycling and new technologies, like perovskite, hold the potential to be alternatives to Chinese crystalline silicon modules in the 2030s.

Are solar PV systems based on current state-of-the-art systems produced or installed in China?

Fewer studies have been based on the current state-of-the-art PV systems produced or installed within China (Ito et al., 2003, Nishimura et al., 2010).

How much multi-Si is required to produce crystalline solar cells?

The amount of multi-Si required to produce crystalline solar cells in 2006 was 11 g/Wp and decreased to 7–8 g/Wp in 2010 (MIIT, 2012). The total electricity consumption to produce 1 kg of multi-Si and the amount of multi-Si required to produce crystalline solar cells in this study were 148 kW h/kg and 6.6 g/Wp, respectively.

Does a multi-Si PV system have an environmental impact?

The environmental impact of multi-Si PV systems has been discussed in Europe and in the United States by using the LCA method (Alsema and De Wild-Scholten, 2005, Stoppato, 2008, Fthenakis and Alsema, 2006, Koroneos et al., 2006a, Koroneos et al., 2006b, Pacca et al., 2007, Sumper et al., 2011, Kim et al., 2014, Fu et al., 2015).