Compared assessment of selected environmental indicators of photovoltaic electricity in OECD cities

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Last updated: 4 July 2006

Author(s): [s.n.] Compared assessment of selected environmental indicators of photovoltaic electricity in OECD cities

Organization: Joint brochure of IEA PVPS Task 10, the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform and European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)

Date of issue: May 2006

Type: Report IEA PVPS Task 10

Reference: -

Details: 32 pages, graphs, photographs, tables

Download: Click here to open or download this report as PDF file (5093 kB)

Available from: European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)

Abstract: Electricity production based on solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is pollution-free at the local as well as the global level, it does not emit greenhouse gases, it does not dip into finite fossil fuel resources and it can be easily integrated into the urban environment, close to major consumption needs. These particularities make PV one of the major and most suitable options in the mid-to long term future for producing electricity worldwide in OECD and non-OECD countries. However, prior to producing electricity, manufacturing and installing PV systems and later on dismantling and recycling them at the end of their commercial life, require spending a certain amount of energy, which must be “reimbursed” before electricity from PV can be considered as renewable and clean. Although this is no longer an issue among the scientific community and PV related Industry, unfounded rumours still persist here and there that question the status of PV as a renewable energy, including an “infinite energy payback-time” and an overall negative impact on the global environment.

The purpose of the new report “Compared assessment of selected environmental indicators of photovoltaic electricity in OECD cities” published in April 2006 jointly by the International Energy Agency-Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS), the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) is to provide clear and well-documented answers to politicians, decisionmakers and the general public about what PV can and cannot achieve in terms of renewable, clean energy production and environmental protection.

Author(s):	[s.n.]
Organization:	Joint brochure of IEA PVPS Task 10, the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform and European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
Date of issue:	May 2006
Type:	Report IEA PVPS Task 10
Reference:	-
Details:	32 pages, graphs, photographs, tables
Download:	Click here to open or download this report as PDF file (5093 kB)
Available from:	European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA)
Abstract:	Electricity production based on solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is pollution-free at the local as well as the global level, it does not emit greenhouse gases, it does not dip into finite fossil fuel resources and it can be easily integrated into the urban environment, close to major consumption needs. These particularities make PV one of the major and most suitable options in the mid-to long term future for producing electricity worldwide in OECD and non-OECD countries. However, prior to producing electricity, manufacturing and installing PV systems and later on dismantling and recycling them at the end of their commercial life, require spending a certain amount of energy, which must be “reimbursed” before electricity from PV can be considered as renewable and clean. Although this is no longer an issue among the scientific community and PV related Industry, unfounded rumours still persist here and there that question the status of PV as a renewable energy, including an “infinite energy payback-time” and an overall negative impact on the global environment.
	The purpose of the new report “Compared assessment of selected environmental indicators of photovoltaic electricity in OECD cities” published in April 2006 jointly by the International Energy Agency-Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA-PVPS), the European Photovoltaic Technology Platform and the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) is to provide clear and well-documented answers to politicians, decisionmakers and the general public about what PV can and cannot achieve in terms of renewable, clean energy production and environmental protection.