Spatiotemporal Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Power Systems in Brazil: A Dynamic Framework for Environmental Impact Analysis

The rapid expansion of photovoltaic (PV) deployment in Brazil has raised the cumulative installed capacity to 52.1 GW in 2025. It highlights the importance of comprehensive environmental assessment methods for renewable energy systems. This study conducted a spatiotemporal life cycle assessment (LCA) of a 50 MWp utility-scale PV power plant in Brazil, utilizing a novel LCA framework that addresses the inherent variability of solar energy systems across different geographical locations and periods. The analyzed system features monocrystalline silicon modules installed in a mounted configuration with trackers, a 30% capacity factor, and a generation profile of 118,114 MWh/year, over 25 years. The research methodology employs openLCA software combined with ecoinvent v.3.10 database and the ReCiPe 2016 method to perform a spatiotemporally explicit LCA across four life-cycle phases: component manufacturing, construction and installation, operation and maintenance, and decommissioning. Environmental impacts were assessed through key categories, including mineral human toxicity, land use, climate change, and water use. This comprehensive approach provides valuable contributions for policymakers and stakeholders by identifying critical life-cycle stages and their associated environmental impacts. The study demonstrates how emerging tools can facilitate the practical application of spatiotemporal LCA while maintaining robust analytical capabilities, supporting strategic decisions regarding PV deployment in Brazil's expanding solar energy sector.