Review on Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Panels

The photovoltaic (PV) sector has undergone both major expansion and evolution over the last decades, and currently, the technologies already marketed or still in the laboratory/research phase are numerous and very different. Likewise, in order to assess the energy and environmental impacts of these devices, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies related to these systems are always increasing. The objective of this paper is to summarize and update the current literature of LCA applied to different types of grid-connected PV, as well as to critically analyze the results related to energy and environmental impacts generated during the life cycle of PV technologies, from 1st generation (traditional silicon based) up to the third generation (innovative non-silicon based). Most of the results regarded energy indices like energy payback time, cumulative energy demand, and primary energy demand, while environmental indices were variable based on different scopes and impact assessment methods. Moreover, the review work allowed to highlight and compare key parameters (PV type and system, geographical location, efficiency), methodological insights (functional unit, system boundaries, etc.), and energy/environmental hotspots of 39 LCA studies relating to different PV systems, in order to underline the importance of these aspects, and to provide information and a basis of comparison for future analyse

An Innovative Photovoltaic Luminescent Solar Concentrator Window: Energy and Environmental Aspects

Over the years, different types of smart windows have been tested and developed. In this study, an innovative prototype of a photovoltaic smart window, that integrates luminescent solar concentrators, was analysed. The device independently regulates the movement of the shading system and allows energy surplus, through the electricity generated by modules. Considering the peculiar structure (characterized by the presence of a light shelf) and the thermal characteristics of the device, the analyses focused on optical, thermal, and electrical performances, comparing them with those of a traditional window. The analysis followed an experimental approach that involved lighting and electrical monitoring studies in a real test room, to create validated models for conducting simulations in larger buildings. The results were expressed through the study of illuminance maps, electricity generation obtainable from the integrated photovoltaic technology and in terms of energy savings. Energy generation accounts for around 10 Wh/month, with up to 50% improvement from the perspective of energy use for heating and cooling. The technology proves effective in allowing efficient overall energy performances while generating enough energy to operate the smart window control systems

Life Cycle Assessment of Luminescent Solar Concentrators Integrated into a Smart Window

The main goal of this paper is to assess the life cycle environmental impacts of a multifunctional smart window luminescent solar concentrator (SW-LSC) prototype through the application of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. To the authors' knowledge, this is one of the first studies on the topic. The analysis followed a cradle to gate approach, considering the assembly and maintenance phase as well as the end of life, examined separately through a recycling/landfill scenario. A comparison of the impacts of LSC modules with those of some building-integrated photovoltaic technologies was carried out. Results showed that the global warming potential (100 years) for SW-LSC was 5.91 x 10(3) kg CO2eq and the manufacturing phase had the greatest impact (about 96%). The recycling/landfill scenario results showed the possibility to reduce impacts by an average of 45%. A dominance analysis of SW-LSC components showed that the aluminum frame was the main hotspot (about 60% contribution), followed by the light-shelf (about 19%). Batteries and motors for the shading system were the biggest contributors in the abiotic depletion potential category (36% and 30%, respectively). An alternative scenario, which involved the use of 75% recycled aluminum for the window frame, highlighted the possibility to reduce environmental impacts from 3% to 46%. Finally, the comparison results showed that the LSC modules' impacts were on average 870% lower than that of various PV technologies when compared on the basis of m(2); on the contrary, LSC modules had the highest impacts in all categories (from 200% to 1900%) when compared with other PV technologies on the basis of 1 kWh of energy generated. The results could be used for the definition of eco-design strategies for the examined device, in order to support the scaling-up process and to put "greener" systems onto the market

Energy evaluation and life cycle assessment of an innovative building integrated technology: the smart window-luminescent solar concentrator

Luminescent Solar Concentrators (LSC) represent one of the innovative and potentially most versatile technologies related to Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV). The peculiarity of these devices lies in the fact that they can be integrated into the surface of the building to replace openings such as skylights or windows, thanks to their characteristic of being semi-transparent and of functioning both with direct and diffused radiation. Eni developed the own technology Eni Ray Plus® based on LSC and integrated it in a multifunctional smart window-LSC (SW-LSC) prototype. The device uses the energy produced by LSC modules to power an autonomous and passive shading system, exploiting irradiation sensors, motors and batteries. It independently regulates the movement of the shading system and allows energy surplus, through the electricity generated by modules. The final aim of this thesis is to explore the energy performances of the SW-LSC prototype into the building and to determinate the life cycle environmental impacts of the device through the application of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. In addition, the focus is to highlight the impacts of the LSC modules only, assuming that they can be applied into glazed buildings, and to compare them with those of other PV technologies on the market. The first part of the work is focused on SW-LSC optical, thermal and electrical performances, comparing them with those of a traditional window. The analysis followed an experimental approach that involved lighting and electrical monitoring studies in a real test room, in order to create validated models for conducting simulations in larger buildings. The results were expressed through the study of illuminance maps, electricity generation obtainable from the integrated photovoltaic technology and in terms of energy savings. In conclusion, the models created allowed to evaluate the performances of the new technology, providing useful information for energy saving strategies in buildings. The second part of the work regarded the evaluation of the life cycle impacts. The functional unit (FU) chosen was the whole SW-LSC (5,27 m2) considering its thermal and optical characteristics (Uw = 1,6 -1,8 W/m2K, tvis = 77% and g = 85% of LSC modules) and the possibility to produce about 1.5 kWh/year. The system boundary was from cradle to gate considering the assembly and maintenance phase, while the end of life (EOL) was considered separately through a recycling/landfill scenario. Results showed that global warming potential (100 years) for SW-LSC was 5.91E+03 kg CO2eq and the production phase had the greatest impact (about 96%). The EOL recycling/landfill scenario results showed the possibility to reduce impacts by an average of 45%. The dominance analysis of SW-LSC components showed that the aluminum frame was the main hotspot (about 60% contribution) in all categories (except in abiotic depletion potential, 16% contribution), followed by the light-shelf (about 19% contribution). The batteries and motors for the shading system were the biggest contributors in the abiotic depletion potential category (36% and 30%, respectively). Since the materials of the SW-LSC prototype are not yet optimized in an eco-design context, it is important to underline that other alternative materials will be taken into consideration during the marketing phase (such as the use of wood or a wood-aluminum combination for the frame). The alternative scenario, which involved the use of 75% recycled aluminum for the window frame, showed that it is possible to reduce environmental impacts from 3% to 46% (with a mean value of 33.6%). Finally, the results for the SW-LSC were compared with those of the EPDs of some traditional windows (the functional unit for the comparison was the m2). A further comparative study was carried out between the LSC modules and some building integrated photovoltaic technologies, using 1 kWh of electricity generation as a functional unit. LSC modules impacts were on average 870% lower than that of various PV technologies when compared on the basis of m2; the only exception concerned the comparison with CIS and a-Si technologies, where LSC modules impacts were about 150% higher in some categories (global warming potential, ozone layer depletion potential and photochemical oxidation potential). LSC modules had highest impacts in all categories (from 200% to 1900%) if compared with other PV technologies on the basis 1 kWh of energy generated. The results based on energy generation are easily interpretable considering the lower performance of LSC modules compared to other technologies; however, LSC modules show greater versatility and different possible applications due to the their transparency. The SW-LSC could represent an option for the future efficiency of the built environment: in this sense, even if the power output from LSC modules integrated into the window is limited, it is sufficient to cover the energy demand of an efficient system of Venetian blinds that allow regulating the internal loads autonomously and independently, with a consequent energy saving. Furthermore, thanks to the thermal characteristics of the frame and the regulation of the light inside the environment, the SW-LSC represents an element designed to improve thermal and lighting comfort inside buildings

Review on Life Cycle Assessment of Solar Photovoltaic Panels

The photovoltaic (PV) sector has undergone both major expansion and evolution over the last decades, and currently, the technologies already marketed or still in the laboratory/research phase are numerous and very different. Likewise, in order to assess the energy and environmental impacts of these devices, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies related to these systems are always increasing. The objective of this paper is to summarize and update the current literature of LCA applied to different types of grid-connected PV, as well as to critically analyze the results related to energy and environmental impacts generated during the life cycle of PV technologies, from 1st generation (traditional silicon based) up to the third generation (innovative non-silicon based). Most of the results regarded energy indices like energy payback time, cumulative energy demand, and primary energy demand, while environmental indices were variable based on different scopes and impact assessment methods. Moreover, the review work allowed to highlight and compare key parameters (PV type and system, geographical location, efficiency), methodological insights (functional unit, system boundaries, etc.), and energy/environmental hotspots of 39 LCA studies relating to different PV systems, in order to underline the importance of these aspects, and to provide information and a basis of comparison for future analyses

Socialworkers Experiences of Coping with Angry Clients

This study aims to show how socialworkers in financial assistance experience that clients react to rejection decitions, how these reactions affect them mentally and how they cope with it. Four semi-structured interviews with socialworkers were conducted to collect material for the study, who have varying work experiences in the field. The theories used for analyses of the material are Resilience and Coping, which have been chosen do to relevance and can enable understanding of the phenomenon. The results of the study show that socialworkers experience that angry clients had bigger effect on their mental health at the beginning of their employment. The socialworkers have, according to the studys results, developed high resilience in work and a numerous of coping-strategies. The most common strategies used were self-controlling, seeking social support and planful problem solving. Previous research has shown that the workenvironment is crucial for socialworkers wellbeing, which the material of the study strenghtens. The studys main result and analysis is an importance of resilience and coping-ability for socialworkers to avoid mental illness

Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC): preliminary phases of the LCA analysis applied to the Smart Window-LSC

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSC) represent one of the innovative technologies related to Building Integrated PhotoVoltaics (BIPV). T hanks to their characteristic of being semi-transparent and of functioning both with direct and diffused radiation, the se devices can be integrated to the surface of the buildings, in particular in replacement of openings such as skylights or windows. They do not require solar tracking systems that are used in classic solar concentrators and allow reducing the presence of silicon compared to traditional photovoltaic panels

Luminescent Solar Concentrator (LSC): principio di funzionamento e fasi preliminari dell’analisi LCA applicata alla Smart Window-LSC

Una delle tecnologie più promettenti nel panorama dei sistemi fotovoltaici integrati negli edifici è quella dei concentratori solari luminescenti (LSC - Luminescent Solar Concentrator). La peculiarità di questi dispositivi risiede nel fatto che possono essere installati in zone dell’edificio difficilmente sfruttabili da altre tecnologie fotovoltaiche, in particolare in sostituzione di aperture quali lucernari o finestre, grazie alla loro caratteristica di essere semi-trasparenti e di funzionare sia con radiazione solare diretta che diffusa. L’obiettivo del presente lavoro è stato ricostruire i percorsi di produzione dei principali componenti del pannello LSC, in modo da ottenere un parziale inventario dei materiali e dei relativi processi. Le informazioni e i dati acquisiti permetteranno di valutare le prestazioni energetico-ambientali dei pannelli LSC, tramite l’applicazione della metodologia della Life Cycle Assessment

Life Cycle Assessment of Luminescent Solar Concentrators Integrated into a Smart Window

The main goal of this paper is to assess the life cycle environmental impacts of a multifunctional smart window luminescent solar concentrator (SW–LSC) prototype through the application of the Life Cycle Assessment methodology. To the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the first studies on the topic. The analysis followed a cradle to gate approach, considering the assembly and maintenance phase as well as the end of life, examined separately through a recycling/landfill scenario. A comparison of the impacts of LSC modules with those of some building-integrated photovoltaic technologies was carried out. Results showed that the global warming potential (100 years) for SW–LSC was 5.91 × 103 kg CO2eq and the manufacturing phase had the greatest impact (about 96%). The recycling/landfill scenario results showed the possibility to reduce impacts by an average of 45%. A dominance analysis of SW–LSC components showed that the aluminum frame was the main hotspot (about 60% contribution), followed by the light-shelf (about 19%). Batteries and motors for the shading system were the biggest contributors in the abiotic depletion potential category (36% and 30%, respectively). An alternative scenario, which involved the use of 75% recycled aluminum for the window frame, highlighted the possibility to reduce environmental impacts from 3% to 46%. Finally, the comparison results showed that the LSC modules’ impacts were on average 870% lower than that of various PV technologies when compared on the basis of m2; on the contrary, LSC modules had the highest impacts in all categories (from 200% to 1900%) when compared with other PV technologies on the basis of 1 kWh of energy generated. The results could be used for the definition of eco-design strategies for the examined device, in order to support the scaling-up process and to put “greener” systems onto the market

Review on life cycle assessment of solar photovoltaic panels

The photovoltaic (PV) sector has undergone both major expansion and evolution over the last decades, and currently, the technologies already marketed or still in the laboratory/research phase are numerous and very different. Likewise, in order to assess the energy and environmental impacts of these devices, life cycle assessment (LCA) studies related to these systems are always increasing. The objective of this paper is to summarize and update the current literature of LCA applied to different types of grid‐connected PV, as well as to critically analyze the results related to energy and environmental impacts generated during the life cycle of PV technologies, from 1st generation (traditional silicon based) up to the third generation (innovative non‐silicon based). Most of the results regarded energy indices like energy payback time, cumulative energy demand, and primary energy demand, while environmental indices were variable based on different scopes and impact assessment methods. Moreover, the review work allowed to highlight and compare key parameters (PV type and system, geographical location, efficiency), methodological insights (functional unit, system boundaries, etc.), and energy/environmental hotspots of 39 LCA studies relating to different PV systems, in order to underline the importance of these aspects, and to provide information and a basis of comparison for future analyses