Research

Environmental benefits of parking-integrated photovoltaics: A 222kWp experience

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Abstract

The life cycle assessment of a grid-connected, parking integrated, 222kWp cadmium telluride photovoltaic system has been performed. The system was built at the University of Murcia and has been monitored for 2.5years (sampling data every 5min). The detailed material inventory, the energy embedded in the system, the energy payback time, and the energy return factor of the facility have been obtained and are 6.31TJ equivalent primary energy, 2.06 and 12.16years, respectively. The average performance ratio is 0.8 with a slight monthly variation. Additionally, the environmental benefits of the architectural integration (in this case parking integration) have been quantified using a standard methodology for the calculation of several environmental parameters. Finally, the environmental benefits of renewable energy generation because of the savings of producing the same amount of electricity by the Spanish grid system have been assessed. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

photovoltaic technology building integration cadmium telluride life cycle analysis energy payback time environmental impact Condensed Matter Physics Electronic Optical and Magnetic Materials Electrical and Electronic Engineering Renewable Energy Sustainability and the Environment Building integration Cadmium telluride Energy payback time Environmental impact Life cycle analysis Photovoltaic technology