Greenhouse gas emissions embodied in the US solar photovoltaic supply chain

Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity is considered to be an important source of electricity generation in the quest for net-zero carbon emissions. However, the growth of solar electricity is creating both increased material demands and increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from silicon and PV manufacturing (also referred to as embodied GHG emissions of solar electricity). Here we analyze the silicon and solar PV supply chain for the United States (U.S.) market and find that the embodied GHG emissions of solar PV panel materials (such as silicon), manufacture, logistics, and installation in the U.S. given the current supply chain are 36 g CO2e kWh-1 of solar electricity generated. Eighty-five percent of the embodied GHG emissions are from PV panel production processes in China and other Asia-Pacific countries. Moving the silicon and PV manufacturing to the U.S. would reduce the embodied GHG emissions of solar electricity by 16% from its current level, primarily because of the lower GHG emission intensity of the U.S. electrical grid and the lower GHG emissions for aluminum electrolysis in North America. Future scenario analysis shows that by 2030, with the U.S. PV domestic supply chain and its decarbonized grid electricity and aluminum production, as well as improving PV conversion efficiency, the embodied GHG emissions of solar electricity in the U.S. will be reduced to 21 g CO2e kWh-1.

Automated summary

Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity is an important source of electricity generation in the pursuit of net-zero carbon emissions. However, the growth of solar electricity leads to increased material demands and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from silicon and PV manufacturing. Analyzing the supply chain for the U.S. market, it is found that the majority of GHG emissions come from PV panel production processes in China and other Asia-Pacific countries. Moving manufacturing to the U.S. would reduce GHG emissions and, coupled with a decarbonized grid and improved PV conversion efficiency, the embodied GHG emissions of solar electricity in the U.S. could be significantly reduced.