The net environmental benefit of solar PV panels depends on the environmental impact of energy and materials for creating and using the panel, subtracted from the advantage of reduced fossil fuel usage.

In recent years, panel efficiencies have steadily improved and the costs of solar PV have dramatically reduced globally.

Whereas the carbon and energy payback of solar photovoltaics used to be many years, in solar conditions through much of Australia, the paybacks are now less than a year.

Here we summarise recent research that shows the latest life cycle assessment of the solar photovoltaics applicable to Australia.

European research has indicated that energy payback of solar photovoltaics decreased to one year by 2012. The graph below is from Wacker Chemie AG in their 2012 HSBC conference presentation ‘Emerging Potential for Solar Energy’.

The analysis assumed crystalline Silicon Modules in Southern Europe with European Energy Mix.

A research paper was conducted recently in Asia, which indicates that both carbon and energy payback of a few solar PV technologies is now less than one year. In 2014, the paper by Hyoungseok Kim offered a life cycle assessment for CdTe PV ( cadmium telluride photovoltaic) systems in Malaysia.

The system boundary for LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) of Kim was defined as pre-manufacturing, manufacturing, installation as well as the use phases. The recycling and the disposal phases are excluded. The research in fact indicated that cadmium telluride photovoltaic systems have a lower carbon content and energy than the other PV technologies, less than ½ of multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic for instance.

All these mean that payback time with regards to the greenhouse gases for CdTe PV system is eight months fifteen days in Malaysia.

Since the carbon emissions from Victorian grid electricity is a lot higher than Malaysian grid electricity, if the same panel were installed in Victoria, it’s carbon payback time would be about five months for cadmium telluride photovoltaic and about eleven months for multi-crystalline silicon PV.

Enhar is a leading solar consultant in Australia. They always keep their solar audiences informed about the latest progress in the solar sector in Australia. Here they have provided an information on solar PV carbon and energy payback in Australia. If you want to get more information and updates on the solar sector of Australia, stay tuned to their website http://www.enhar.com.au/.

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