Page 222 - Materials Chemistry, Second Edition

Comparing Various Indicators
for the LCA of Residential Photovoltaic
Systems

Ruben Laleman, Johan Albrecht and Jo Dewulf

Abstract This chapter presents a broad environmental evaluation of residential
Photovoltaic (PV) systems. It focuses mainly on how variations in irradiation
levels, assessment methodology, and the lifetime of the solar panel influence the
perception regarding its sustainability. Data from the Ecoinvent Life-Cycle
Assessment (LCA) database and the literature were used and various Life-Cycle
Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods were considered for six different PV types.
The results indicate that variations in irradiation levels, methodology and lifetime
can significantly influence the final results and conclusions of a LCA. By carefully
selecting assumptions and methodology, one can clearly influence the perceived
environmental impact of PV systems. In addition, we state that multidimensional
indicators should be used along with the one-dimensional ones. Also, the choice of
the perspective (Hierarchist, Egalitarian or Individualist) has a major impact on the
final results. In our opinion, the current focus on Greenhouse Gas (GHG)-emis-
sions and energy efficiency ignores important environmental impact dimensions
such as resource depletion.

R. Laleman (&) J. Albrecht
Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University,
Tweekerkenstraat 2, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
e-mail: Ruben.laleman@ugent.be
J. Albrecht
e-mail: Johan.albrecht@ugent.be
J. Dewulf
Research Group ENVOC, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
e-mail: Jo.dewulf@ugent.be

A. Singh et al. (eds.), Life Cycle Assessment of Renewable Energy Sources, 211
Green Energy and Technology, DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4471-5364-1_10,
Ó Springer-Verlag London 2013