Life cycle analysis of Solar PV panels for their efficiency cost and enviromental performance A case study of Hyderabad

With the increasing demand for energy, renewable sources of energy have achieved premier importance in the last few years. Amongst other sources, solar energy is a leading renewable source which is utilized substantially and capable of meeting the energy need of humanity. In the case of meeting elec

Project Title

Life cycle analysis of Solar PV panels for their efficiency cost and enviromental performance A case study of Hyderabad

Project Area of Specialization

Electrical/Electronic Engineering

Project Summary

With the increasing demand for energy, renewable sources of energy have achieved premier importance in the last few years. Amongst other sources, solar energy is a leading renewable source which is utilized substantially and capable of meeting the energy need of humanity. In the case of meeting electricity demand, solar PV standalone units have increased penetration during the last few years in Pakistan. This study proposes to undertake a detailed Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of locally available/in use PV panels for their efficiency, cost, and environmental performance. There are three most important parameters considered during the operation period of PV panels, which are maximum output power, short circuit current, and open-circuit voltage. All these parameters are affected by temperature, shadowing, and accumulation of dust, and hence the overall performance of PV panels is affected. It is, therefore, essential that the life cycle analysis of these panels be undertaken using the available tools. The data collected from various locations, for different panels and considering their operating period shall be analyze using GaBi software, which is widely used for sustainability and LCA. The study results are anticipated to provide key insight pertaining investigated parameters and guidelines for renewable energy policy development in Pakistan.

Project Objectives

This project aims at undertaking the life cycle analysis of solar PV panels for their efficiency, cost, and environmental performance. The specific objective of the project follows as under:

1. To investigate the various solar PV panels installed across Hyderabad city and collect relevant data for life cycle analysis.
2. To develop the LCA model using the GaBi tool for key types of solar PV panels used across Hyderabad city.
3. To analyze the LCA model results for PV panel efficiency, cost and environmental performance

Project Implementation Method

This study methodology shall be based on the investigation, data collection, LCA model development, and analysis order to assess LCA performance of various solar PV panels of different companies locally available in Pakistan. This study will consider PV panels such as mono and polycrystalline, which are to be commissioned and in use for different time periods across various locations of Pakistan.

It is pertinent to mention that four stages in the life cycle assessment of photovoltaic panels include analysis.

1. Raw material processing
2. Manufacturing.
3. Generation of electricity/Useful
4. End of life/Recycle Analysis

Raw material processing and manufacturing is the first stage, which requires a lot of attention because, during production, many materials are used, which may be hazardous for environmental aspects. Production of electricity and useful is the second stage in which we consider that how many units are being produced and to analyze the per-unit cost of electricity. Usage analysis of photovoltaic panels is the third stage. In this stage, we must observe that how many panels are efficient and which solar panel is more efficient and how can we increase the efficiency of solar panels. End of life is the last stage, which has gained importance due to the expected increase of photovoltaic waste, to which it binds also the possibility of reuse of materials, as a direct consequence of the increase of installations.

The Gabi software is useful in analysis of the life cycle assessment . This project envisages to use GaBi software for the analysis of the life cycle assessment of PV panel. Every stage of PV panel life is analyzed on an LCA basis by providing necessary data inputs and having an output in an organized manner. A block diagram of LCA analysis using GaBi is shown in Fig. 1

As the analysis is undertaken, GaBi provides all the requisite information such as material, energy, and emission flows as well as defined monetary values, working time, and social issues, provides quick functions accounting in numbers of environmental impact categories. With a sectional and parameterized structural design, the pattern of perplex processes and different production options are also allowed by GaBi. This kind of analysis also makes it simple to add other data such as economic cost or social impact information to design, making GaBi a holistic life cycle analysis tool. The GaBi software is equipped with the most comprehensive, up-to-date Life Cycle Inventory database.

The LCA using GaBi for various PV panels of the local market would provide re-assuring analysis to consider quality improvement and cost savings for Hyderabad city.

                   Fig 2: LCA applied to photovoltaic panels

 

 

Benefits of the Project

There are many benifits to analyze the life cycle of solar PV in order to determine efficiency, cost and environmental performance of solar PV panels. Some benefits are listed below:

1. We will come to know that how much toxic gases are emitted during the production of solar PV panels.

2. We will able to find the reason why we use solar PV panels in Hyderabad, Pakistan even they generate more toxic gases during generation of electricity.

3. We will  find that which solar panel (Polycrystalline or Monocrystalline) is more efficient and why.

4. We will find the cost comparision of two different solar PV panels. (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline) 

5. When two different end of life (recycling,disposal) scenario considered, we will come to know which one is more beneficial.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Energy plays an important role in the development of any country. Developed countries mainly attained the so-called development relying greatly on their power sector towards achieving the improved economy. In this modern-day world, electricity consumption is, therefore, considered as one of the key growth parameters. However, the power generation using conventional resources and technologies generally accompanied with emissions, which is a key reason for climate change. As such, the fuel diversification for power generation is quite essential to progress sustainably. The renewable energy systems are, therefore, becoming more and more popular these days for their well-known advantages. Various renewable energy resources grown remarkably in the last few decades as the fuel is available at almost free of cost, but still, they are limited in their use due to many complexities. In the meantime, solar energy conversion systems, in particular, PV, have attained foremost progress for its easy to design, and it can be used for both stand-alone and grid-connected systems . Of all the renewable energies, as such, the solar photovoltaic technology has become the point of interest as it does not involve any intermediate process. Large scale solar panels are therefor are now widely used for meeting electricity demand across the globe. However, due to efficiency limitations, they are considered as inferior to conventional energy systems. Normally, the efficiency of solar PV panels is 15 to 18 percent only. The maximum efficiency of solar PV panels holds today at 22.8 percent . In addition, solar PV systems are generally considered as an environmentally friendly process of electricity generation. However, a thorough review of the literature and life cycle approach may reveal otherwise with the possibility of certain, although very low, damage to the environment/eco-system. Fig.3 below shows the life cycle of a solar PV panel, which includes as following:

 1. Resources 

 2. Processing 

 3. Manufacturing 

 4. Distribution 

 5. Use 

 6. End of life

Fig 3 : The PV System Life cycle

Thus, our main aim is to design a solar modules (Polycrystalline and Monocrystalline) and will analyse that how much toxic gasses are emit during production and the use of solar panels and which solar module (Polycrystalline and Monocrystalline) is more efficient for Hyderabad city.

 

 

 

Final Deliverable of the Project

Software System

Core Industry

Education

Other Industries

Energy , Health

Core Technology

Shared Economy

Other Technologies

Clean Tech

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Climate Action

Required Resources

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