Climate Efficient Solar Energy

Solar cells generate no emissions during operation, which is the main advantage of the technology from an environmental and climate perspective. But for a full picture, the production and management of end-of-life solar cells must also be taken into account, in a lifecycle perspective. The production of solar cells and solar modules is particularly energy-intensive. Knowledge about solar cells' carbon dioxide emissions in a life cycle perspective is quite low amongst market players and it is unusual that any specific climate-impact requirements are used in (public) procurements of PV systems.

The purpose of the project Climate Efficient Solar Energy was to contribute to increased climate performance from PV systems by:

• increasing related knowledge among market participants
• develop and test procurement criteria to steer towards lower climate impacts from used solar PV modules
• compile guidance for a climate-optimized management of PV systems