Life Cycle Assessment of a Silicon-Heterojunction-Based PV System

This paper presents a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of a silicon-heterojunction-based PV rooftop system produced and installed in the Netherlands in 2024. A prospective LCA (pLCA) for 2035 was carried out assuming different future scenarios (Integrated Assessment Models and Shared Socioeconomic Pathways). Future material consumption and efficiencies were taken from the ITRPV 2024. Material and energy input data were taken from the EcoInvent database and the LCA was performed using Brightway2.0. Since data from EcoInvent do not correspond to current technology we have adjusted these data. For example, in the database of EcoInvent wafer thickness and kerf loss are outdated and have been scaled down: wafer thickness from 270 to 120 μm and kerf loss from 180 to 55 μm. PECVD input data are based on TU Delft lab results and scaled to M10 wafer size. Metallization input data are based on the ITRPV 2024 data and other process parameters are taken from literature. Recycling and disposal are not included. For the 2024 reference rooftop system with performance ratio (PR) of 0.75, the Global Warming Potential (GWP1000) is 22 g CO₂-eq/kWh, which is lower than results presented in literature. For the 2035-SSP2-REMIND scenario the GWP1000 is 6.9 g CO₂-eq/kWh. With PR=0.85 the GWP1000 values will be respectively 19.4 and 6.1 g CO₂-eq/kWh.