Firstly the extraction of quartz the crystalline form of silicon and of the other materials necessary for the construction of the panels.
Carbon footprint of producing solar panels.
How much do solar panels reduce carbon footprint.
To create a solar panel caustic materials will emit greenhouse gases.
For instance concentrated solar power csp has a footprint of 20 grams of carbon dioxide co2 per kilowatt hour kwh of electricity produced in addition to consuming vast amounts.
The carbon footprint of a solar photovoltaic pv panel the average level of greenhouse gas emissions it is responsible for over its lifetime is about 72 grams of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilowatt hour of electricity generated gco2e kwh.
The production of photovoltaic panels still has an important carbon footprint and creates a series of waste liquid and gaseous by products that are harmful to the environment.
The energy saving trust says a typical home solar pv system could save around 1 3 to 1 6 tonnes of carbon per year depending on.