Abstract :
In life cycle assessment (LCA) of solar PV systems, energy pay back time (EPBT) is the commonly used indicator to
justify its primary energy use. However, EPBT is a function of competing energy sources with which electricity from
solar PV is compared, and amount of electricity generated from the solar PV system which varies with local irradiation
and ambient conditions. Therefore, it is more appropriate to use site-specific EPBT for major decision-making in power
generation planning. LCA and life cycle cost analysis are performed for a distributed 2.7 kWp grid-connected monocrystalline
solar PV system operating in Singapore. This paper presents various EPBT analyses of the solar PV system
with reference to a fuel oil-fired steam turbine and their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and costs are also compared.
The study reveals that GHG emission from electricity generation from the solar PV system is less than one-fourth that
from an oil-fired steam turbine plant and one-half that from a gas-fired combined cycle plant. However, the cost of
electricity is about five to seven times higher than that from the oil or gas fired power plant. The environmental uncertainties
of the solar PV system are also critically reviewed and presented.
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