European solar modules emit 40% less CO2 compared to Chinese modules

29 Sep 2021 CW Team

Solar modules made in the European Union produce 40% less carbon dioxide than modules made in China, according to researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy.

The solar module market is dominated by China. It made 68% of polysilicon, 96% of wafers, 76% of solar cells, and 71% of solar modules in 2019.

The researchers compared the carbon dioxide footprint of monocrystalline solar modules manufactured in Germany, Europe, and China using a life cycle analysis. The study also discovered that, regardless of where they were manufactured, glass-glass modules allowed for an additional emission reduction of 7.5 to 12.5% when compared to solar modules with backsheet films.

The researchers said in their study that glass-glass modules do not require an aluminium frame, which is very energy-intensive to manufacture. Glass-glass modules also have a longer lifespan and less annual degradation than film-based modules. As a result, glass-glass modules emit between 22 and 27% less carbon dioxide than glass-foil modules.

According to the study, glass-foil modules emit 580 kg per kWp in Germany, 810 kg per kWp in China and 480 kg per kWp in the European Union. Glass-glass modules emit 750 kg per kWp in China, 520 kg per kWp in Germany, and 420 kg per kWp in the European Union.

Solar modules' carbon footprints have decreased by around 80% in recent years, according to the researchers, due to improvements in silicon yields, manufacturing processes, module efficiency, and the carbon dioxide intensity of power generation.

In comparison to modules imported from China, Holger Neuhaus, Head of Department for Module Technology at Fraunhofer ISE, said that with solar modules manufactured in the EU, I save 40% carbon dioxide emissions. This is primarily due to the respective countries' energy mix, with less emphasis on emissions generated during transportation. The share of energy required in manufacturing, which ranges from 50% to 63%, has the greatest impact on a solar module's carbon footprint.

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Also read: REIL invites tenders to procure solar PV modules in Rajasthan

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Solar modules made in the European Union produce 40% less carbon dioxide than modules made in China, according to researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy. The solar module market is dominated by China. It made 68% of polysilicon, 96% of wafers, 76% of solar cells, and 71% of solar modules in 2019. The researchers compared the carbon dioxide footprint of monocrystalline solar modules manufactured in Germany, Europe, and China using a life cycle analysis. The study also discovered that, regardless of where they were manufactured, glass-glass modules allowed for an additional emission reduction of 7.5 to 12.5% when compared to solar modules with backsheet films. The researchers said in their study that glass-glass modules do not require an aluminium frame, which is very energy-intensive to manufacture. Glass-glass modules also have a longer lifespan and less annual degradation than film-based modules. As a result, glass-glass modules emit between 22 and 27% less carbon dioxide than glass-foil modules. According to the study, glass-foil modules emit 580 kg per kWp in Germany, 810 kg per kWp in China and 480 kg per kWp in the European Union. Glass-glass modules emit 750 kg per kWp in China, 520 kg per kWp in Germany, and 420 kg per kWp in the European Union. Solar modules' carbon footprints have decreased by around 80% in recent years, according to the researchers, due to improvements in silicon yields, manufacturing processes, module efficiency, and the carbon dioxide intensity of power generation. In comparison to modules imported from China, Holger Neuhaus, Head of Department for Module Technology at Fraunhofer ISE, said that with solar modules manufactured in the EU, I save 40% carbon dioxide emissions. This is primarily due to the respective countries' energy mix, with less emphasis on emissions generated during transportation. The share of energy required in manufacturing, which ranges from 50% to 63%, has the greatest impact on a solar module's carbon footprint. Image SourceAlso read: REIL invites tenders to procure solar PV modules in Rajasthan

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