Closing the Circle: Integrating the Circular Footprint Formula into Photovoltaic System Life Cycle Assessment
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Author
Barrou, Alexis
Kandiyoti-Eskenazi, Selin
Levrat, Jacques
Paviet-Salomon, Bertrand
Ballif , Christophe
DOI
Abstract
Photovoltaic (PV) technology is anticipated to play a crucial role in the forthcoming low-carbon energy landscape, predominantly relying on crystalline silicon (c-Si) technologies. Europe, aiming for net-zero carbon emissions by 2035, must install 8.8 TW capacity of PV alone. To support this transition, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) emerges as a critical methodology for evaluating the environmental footprint of energy production systems, including PV technologies. LCA supports the development of eco-design strategies, such as extending product lifetimes or optimizing materials to reduce environmental impacts. However, traditional LCA approaches are time-intensive and demand specialized expertise, which can limit their widespread application. To address these limitations, CSEM has developed a user-friendly internal LCA tool connected to its extensive PV module database. This tool automates the LCA of PV systems, enabling detailed analyses without requiring LCA expertise from users. Since its creation, the tool has been the primary resource for addressing customer inquiries and has undergone significant improvements to enhance its functionality. Until recently, however, the end-of-life (EoL) phase was not included in the tool, leaving a critical gap in the analysis of PV systems. To close this gap, the Circular Footprint Formula (CFF), introduced in the European Commission’s recent Product Environmental Footprint Guide, is being integrated into the tool. CFF is a standardized methodology developed to quantify the environmental impacts of recycled content, recyclability, energy recovery, and disposal processes, in alignment with EU eco-design directives and digital product passports. This integration aims to provide a more comprehensive life cycle perspective by incorporating material recovery, reuse, and recycling impacts into PV system evaluations. While full implementation is ongoing, preliminary insights indicate that incorporating EoL metrics through the CFF could yield significant sustainability benefits. For instance, recycling solar cell materials alone can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by up to 42%. The inclusion of such considerations highlights the transformative potential of circularity-focused LCA tools in promoting eco-design innovation. By addressing the entire lifecycle, this work supports the transition to a sustainable and circular energy economy, fostering the deployment of environmentally responsible PV technologies.
Publication Reference
EUPVSEC 2025, Bilbao (Spain)
Year
2025