Investigating and Analyzing the Influence of a Solar Power Plant’s Life Cycle on the Depletion of Natural Materials and Mineral Resources

Abstract

The production process requires massive amounts of minerals, fossil fuels, and energy. The efficient use of energy and natural resources appears to be crucial to the state of affairs. It should be noted that the post-consumer management of solar power plant elements results in a certain amount of power and matter, as well as harmful effects on the natural world. The major goal of this study was to examine the environmental effect of the solar power plant throughout its life cycle, taking into consideration the depletion of natural materials and mineral resources, using the ReCiPe 2016 model. A life cycle study was performed on an actual 2 MW solar power facility located in northern Poland. This study was conducted using the ReCiPe 2016 model and the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology. The analyzed renewable energy system’s impact was assessed utilizing 22 impact categories, focusing mostly on the depletion of natural resources. A Life Cycle Assessment was conducted for two post-consumer development scenarios (landfill and recycling). This research focuses on the full solar power plant, not just the photovoltaic panels. Recycling, as a kind of post-consumer development, can provide major environmental benefits and minimize negative environmental consequences throughout the solar power plant’s life cycle. The exceedingly harmful effects can be evident in losses related to water and the aquatic environment. The obtained study findings enabled the development of sustainable-friendly recommendations towards the continuous advancement of the life cycle of solar power plants, thereby reducing the use of rare earth minerals.