Management of Environmental Life Cycle Impact Assessment of a Photovoltaic Power Plant on the Atmosphere, Water, and Soil Environment

Photovoltaic power plants are considered to be environmentally friendly solutions to the production of electricity. Solar energy conversion does not release toxic compounds into the environment. However, the construction of solar power plant components (photovoltaic modules, sup-porting structure, inverter station, electrical installation) is extremely consumptive of energy and materials. Massive volumes of minerals, fossil fuels, and electricity are consumed during the manufacturing process. Efficient management of energy and environmental resources seems to be critical for national policy. It is crucial to admit that the post-consumer management of the components of a photovoltaic power plant is connected with a certain quantity of energy and matter and a negative impact on the natural environment. A life cycle assessment was carried out on a real 2 MW photovoltaic power plant located in the northern part of Poland. The analysis was carried out applying the ReCiPe 2016 model and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The impact of the examined renewable energy system was evaluated using 22 impact categories and 3 emission areas (air, water, soil). Life Cycle Assessment analysis was carried out for 2 post-consumer development scenarios (landfill and recycling). The examination of the collected results reveals that photovoltaic modules are the element causing the most negative environmental repercussions connected to the release of dangerous compounds into the atmosphere. Post-consumer development in the form of recycling would provide major environmental benefits and reduce detrimental environmental consequences across the whole life cycle of the photovoltaic power plant. The obtained research results enabled the formulation of pro-environmental recommendations aimed at the long-term development of the life cycle of solar power plants.

Automated summary

Photovoltaic power plants are environmentally friendly, but their construction consumes large amounts of energy and materials. Efficient management of energy and environmental resources is crucial, and recycling of photovoltaic modules can provide major environmental benefits.