Comparative evaluation of the material consumption and carbon footprint of silicon PV modules

<h2>Summary</h2> This study provides a comparative evaluation of the material consumption and carbon footprint of silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules. Utilizing 71 environmental product declaration (EPD) reports from 23 solar panel manufacturers, covering over 220 modules, the assessment focuses on greenhouse gas emissions and material demands across different cell technologies—including passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC), tunneling oxide passivated contact (TOPCon), silicon heterojunction (SHJ), and back contact (BC)—and module types, comparing monofacial and bifacial. Moreover, steel and aluminum frames are compared. Results indicate significant global-warming potential (GWP) and embodied energy (EE) variations among different technologies. Notably, steel-framed modules demonstrate lower GWP despite a higher weight per watt peak (Wp). The study highlights the need for standardized functional units in EPD reports to facilitate fair comparisons and the importance of considering material sustainability and recycling in PV manufacturing.