Life-Cycle Costs and Emissions of Pareto-Optimal Residential Roof-Mounted Photovoltaic Systems

AbstractResearch has separately existed for life-cycle costs and environmental assessment of photovoltaic systems. This study provides a framework for the identification of the optimal set of residential photovoltaic system options in terms of costs and selected air emissions by assessing the life c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of infrastructure systems 2013-09, Vol.19 (3), p.306-314
Main Authors: Hendrickson, Thomas P, Horvath, Arpad, Madanat, Samer M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Atmospheric pollution
Building technical equipments
Buildings
Buildings. Public works
Costs
Emission
Emission analysis
Energy management and energy conservation in building
Environmental engineering
Exact sciences and technology
External envelopes
Life cycle assessment
Life cycle costs
Modules
Photovoltaic cells
Pollution
Roof
Solar cells
Technical Papers
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Summary:AbstractResearch has separately existed for life-cycle costs and environmental assessment of photovoltaic systems. This study provides a framework for the identification of the optimal set of residential photovoltaic system options in terms of costs and selected air emissions by assessing the life cycle of the product from manufacturing to disposal. Analyzed air emissions include carbon, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. The study focuses on general residential installations within the San Francisco Bay Area of California. Pareto frontiers are determined for costs and emissions, and the best options for suppliers are identified in each case, including sensitivity analysis of the installation planning horizon. Choosing multicrystalline silicon modules over thin film modules has the greatest impact on cost reduction. The electricity mix with which the modules are produced has the greatest impact on the emissions.
ISSN:1076-0342
1943-555X
DOI:10.1061/(ASCE)IS.1943-555X.0000122