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CO2 amortisation of photovoltaic modules and storage

Client

energy companies

Year

2023


Many products used in the context of climate protection and sustainability help to avoid emissions, for example, but are themselves more emission-intensive to produce than conventional products.

Nevertheless, the use of these products can still be useful if, over their lifespan, the emissions saved through their use offset or even exceed the additional emissions caused by their production. The time it takes for the use phase to achieve an advantage over the production phase is referred to as CO2 amortisation and was determined for various products of an energy company as part of this project.

Climate impact of products

The climate impact of the entire product range of a manufacturer of photovoltaic modules, storage tanks and wall boxes was analysed. We analysed both the greenhouse gas intensity and other environmental impact factors and, where already available, checked them.

The focus of the project was on the impact analysis in comparison to alternative technologies and the amortisation calculation with regard to the production and avoidance of CO2 for various products and product combinations from the customer's product range.

In addition to the calculations of the CO2 amortisation itself, we examined in particular which technology can be used as a reference system in each case and which combinations of products from the product range should be considered in detail.

Development of amortisation periods

As a result, the absolute values and amortisation periods were determined for four possible combinations and the associated key figures compared to the reference systems. Despite various conservative assumptions, the amortisation periods for all options considered were within the lifespan of the respective products.

Latest update: 05.04.2024

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