The life cycle assessment subtask aims the next targets:

• Establish and demonstrate, with comprehensive and transparent studies over the full life cycle, that PV systems are environmentally friendly compared to other energy systems.

• Show the improvement trends of the PV environmental profile by certain indicators (e.g., EPBT, GHG emissions, waste reduction, materials’ recycling/recovery).

• Continue showing such progress in annual updates over the course of Task 12 (5 years).

• Valuate the environmental benefits of PV by showing avoided impacts or avoided “external” costs. 

 

To reach these targets, guidelines for a consistent methodological approach and a LCI (Life Cycle Inventory) database will be created, which will allow:

 

• Benchmarking of the PV technology performance against other energy technologies

• Monitoring and reporting progress in the environmental area (process and product)

• Benchmarking of individual company performance within the whole PV industry

• Credible communication and dissemination of results