In a significant stride towards understanding and mitigating the carbon footprint of solar power, a recent study published in the journal *iScience* (translated from Chinese) has shed light on the environmental impact of China’s monocrystalline photovoltaic (PV) module production. The research, led by Ziyi Li from the Engineering Research Center of Clean and Low-carbon Technology for Intelligent Transportation at Beijing Jiaotong University, offers a nuanced look at the sector’s low-carbon transition and its global implications.
The study reveals that while photovoltaic power is often hailed as a zero-carbon solution, its upstream module production has been notably carbon-intensive. “Existing studies often overlook the heterogeneity in supply chains and spatial differences in production,” Li explains. “This oversight limits our ability to accurately assess the sector’s low-carbon transition.”
To address this gap, Li and his team conducted a comprehensive carbon footprint analysis of monocrystalline modules manufactured in China from 2008 to 2023. Their refined data included supplier-specific configurations and province-level electricity carbon intensity, providing a more accurate picture of the industry’s environmental impact.
The results were promising. Production-side carbon footprints plummeted from 2.01–3.24 kg CO2-eq/Wp to 0.31–0.39 kg CO2-eq/Wp over the 15-year period. However, the study also highlighted that module encapsulation has emerged as the primary contributor to carbon emissions in the production process.
On the consumption side, the story is more complex. The global deployment of large-scale PV systems has driven the consumption-side footprint to increase 35-fold to 112.25 Mt CO2-eq in 2023. Notably, two-thirds of these emissions were attributed to exports, suggesting that the decarbonization of electricity in other countries may come at the cost of increased carbon emissions in China.
So, what does this mean for the future of the energy sector? Li suggests that the path forward lies in industrial layout transfer, green materials supply, and process innovation. “Substantially decarbonizing China’s monocrystalline modules will require a multi-faceted approach,” he says.
The study’s findings have significant commercial implications for the energy sector. As the world increasingly turns to solar power as a clean energy solution, understanding and mitigating the carbon footprint of PV module production will be crucial. The research underscores the need for a more holistic approach to decarbonization, one that considers the entire supply chain and its global impacts.
Moreover, the study highlights the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change. As Li notes, “The decarbonization of one sector or country cannot be viewed in isolation. It’s a global effort that requires collective action and shared responsibility.”
In the quest for a sustainable energy future, this research serves as a timely reminder that the path forward is complex and multifaceted. It’s a call to action for the energy sector to innovate, collaborate, and strive for a more sustainable and equitable future.