IN SUMMARY
Where the carbon hides in solar panel manufacturing
Where the carbon hides in solar panel manufacturing
Solar PV is one of the clearest wins in decarbonisation, producing on average 20 times fewer emissions than coal power and generating 20 to 30 times more energy over its life than goes into making it. But manufacturing solar modules is energy- and material-intensive, and that embodied footprint is coming under regulatory scrutiny. Minviro assessed the product carbon footprint of a monocrystalline silicon module, from silica extraction to finished panel, to show which stages matter most and how much supply chain choices change the result.
Solar PV is one of the clearest wins in decarbonisation, producing on average 20 times fewer emissions than coal power and generating 20 to 30 times more energy over its life than goes into making it. But manufacturing solar modules is energy- and material-intensive, and that embodied footprint is coming under regulatory scrutiny. Minviro assessed the product carbon footprint of a monocrystalline silicon module, from silica extraction to finished panel, to show which stages matter most and how much supply chain choices change the result.
Solar PV is one of the clearest wins in decarbonisation, producing on average 20 times fewer emissions than coal power and generating 20 to 30 times more energy over its life than goes into making it. But manufacturing solar modules is energy- and material-intensive, and that embodied footprint is coming under regulatory scrutiny. Minviro assessed the product carbon footprint of a monocrystalline silicon module, from silica extraction to finished panel, to show which stages matter most and how much supply chain choices change the result.
The footprint is large and variable. A standard mono-Si module carries between 145 and 420 kg CO₂e per m², and the total varies by around 60% between the highest and lowest-impact supply chain scenarios studied.
The footprint is large and variable. A standard mono-Si module carries between 145 and 420 kg CO₂e per m², and the total varies by around 60% between the highest and lowest-impact supply chain scenarios studied.
The footprint is large and variable. A standard mono-Si module carries between 145 and 420 kg CO₂e per m², and the total varies by around 60% between the highest and lowest-impact supply chain scenarios studied.
Silicon is the hotspot. Solar-grade silicon and monocrystalline crystal production contribute most of the carbon footprint, driven by the energy needed to purify silicon to 99.9999999%.
Silicon is the hotspot. Solar-grade silicon and monocrystalline crystal production contribute most of the carbon footprint, driven by the energy needed to purify silicon to 99.9999999%.
Silicon is the hotspot. Solar-grade silicon and monocrystalline crystal production contribute most of the carbon footprint, driven by the energy needed to purify silicon to 99.9999999%.
Electricity decides the outcome. Because coal generates more than 60% of the electricity used in PV manufacturing today, the grid mix used across the five production stages is the single biggest lever on the final footprint.
Electricity decides the outcome. Because coal generates more than 60% of the electricity used in PV manufacturing today, the grid mix used across the five production stages is the single biggest lever on the final footprint.
Electricity decides the outcome. Because coal generates more than 60% of the electricity used in PV manufacturing today, the grid mix used across the five production stages is the single biggest lever on the final footprint.
