Abstract

The LCA carbon footprint of utility-scale CdTe PV BOS consists predominantly (50-66%) of mounting materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, synthetic rubber), with smaller important contributions from cabling, inverters, transformers, and raw material transport. Construction and operations and maintenance (O&M) only contribute to 4-7% of the total BOS carbon footprint. Previous analysis of roof-mount and ground-mount CdTe PV BOS ranges from carbon footprint of 5.7-8.5 g CO2e/kWh and energy payback time and non-renewable energy payback time (EPBT/NREPBT) of 0.20-0.32 yr. The BOS LCA carbon footprint (4.0-6.0 g CO2e/kWh) and EPBT/NREPBT (0.21-0.28 yr) in this evaluation is consistent with these estimates, after harmonizing to the same irradiation levels. Because the LCA carbon footprint and EPBT/NREPBT of utility-scale CdTe PV BOS is not considerably higher than that of rooftop CdTe PV BOS, utility scale deployment of CdTe PV can provide rapid grid penetration with comparable environmental benefits to roof-top CdTe PV.

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