A recent study published in Heliyon has shed light on the environmental impacts of stand-alone photovoltaic (PV) systems in Burkina Faso, a country in sub-Saharan Africa. Conducted by Kodami Badza from the Laboratoire Énergies Renouvelables et Efficacité Énergétique (LabEREE) at the Institut International d’Ingénierie de l’Eau et de l’Environnement (2iE), the research utilized life cycle assessment (LCA) to evaluate the sustainability of different battery technologies used in these PV systems.
The study focused on two types of batteries: lead-acid and lithium-ion, and examined four scenarios based on how these batteries are managed at the end of their life—either through landfill or recycling. The findings were striking. It turns out that the production and disposal of batteries and PV modules significantly contribute to environmental degradation. Specifically, lead-acid batteries were found to account for a staggering 73% to 98% of the environmental impact, while lithium-ion batteries contributed between 50% and 68%.
In a practical sense, these results have important implications for the energy sector. With the potential for solar energy to provide sustainable power in regions with limited access to electricity, the choice of battery technology can make a big difference. “The comparison between scenarios indicates that the LABs PV system with landfilling generates significantly higher scores across all impact categories than LIBs PV scenarios,” Badza pointed out. This means that if companies and governments are looking to invest in solar projects, opting for lithium-ion batteries and recycling them at the end of their life can lead to a much smaller environmental footprint.
Moreover, the research highlighted that recycling batteries can lead to significant reductions in environmental impacts. For instance, recycling lead-acid batteries can reduce harmful effects by 17% to 77%, while lithium-ion batteries can achieve reductions of 3% to 99%. This opens up commercial opportunities not just in solar energy production but also in battery recycling technologies, which are becoming increasingly vital as the demand for renewable energy sources grows.
The study also included a sensitivity analysis, revealing that even with extended battery lifespans, landfill scenarios remain highly polluting. However, when recycling is implemented, the environmental performance of lead-acid systems can improve, approaching that of lithium-ion systems. This finding suggests that investment in recycling infrastructure could be a game-changer for the industry.
In summary, as Burkina Faso and other countries in sub-Saharan Africa look to expand their renewable energy capabilities, the choice of battery technology and end-of-life management will be crucial. The insights from Badza’s research could guide policymakers and businesses in making informed decisions that not only support energy access but also prioritize environmental sustainability. For more information on Badza’s work, you can visit Laboratoire Énergies Renouvelables et Efficacité Énergétique (LabEREE).