Conference article

This study characterizes the environmental performances of large-scale ground-mounted PV installations by considering a life-cycle approach. The methodology is based on the application of the existing international standards of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Four scenarios are compared; considering fixedmounting structures with (1) primary aluminum supports or (2) wood supports; and mobile structures with (3) single-axis trackers or (4) dual-axis trackers. Life cycle inventories are based on manufacturers’ data combined with additional calculations and assumptions. Fixed-mounting installations with primary aluminum supports show the largest environmental impact potential with respect to human health; climate change and energy consumption. The climate change impact potential ranges between 37.5 and 53.5 gCO2eq/kWh depending on the scenario; assuming 1700 kWh/m².yr of irradiation on an inclined plane (30°); and multi-crystalline silicon modules with 14% of energy production performance. Mobile PV installations with dual-axis trackers show the largest impact potential on ecosystem quality; with more than a factor 2 of difference with other considered installations. Supports mass and composition; power density (in MWp/acre of land) and energy production performances appear as key design parameters with respect to large-scale ground mounted PV installations environmental performances; in addition to modules manufacturing process energy inputs.

Environmental impacts; LCA; PV installations