Environmental cost factors and utility decision making for PV systems

An approach for considering environmental factors in the evaluation process for both supply-side and alternative demand-side options for solar photovoltaic systems is outlined. This approach considers the air emissions from the entire energy cycle including fuel extraction, construction, and operation. It may not be appropriate to only consider the displacement of emissions of future-generation alternatives when evaluating the PV systems. In certain regions of the country, there may be a reason to take a look at both existing, and future, supply-side environmental effects