Methodological Framework for Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Photovoltaics Systems Using the LCA Method

Bastien Evon (1) , Jérôme Payet (1) , Isabelle Blanc (2) , Didier Beloin-Saint-Pierre (2) , Eric Raison (3) , Nadine Adra (3) , Yvonnick Durand (4)

1 Cycleco
2 O.I.E. - Centre Observation, Impacts, Énergie
3 Transenergie
4 SRER - Service Réseaux et Energies Renouvelables

This paper presents the guidelines for environmental assessment of photovoltaic systems in France by considering the total life cycle. It aims at helping designers of photovoltaic systems to evaluate the environmental impacts of producing electricity using the rules set out in the methodological framework. A specific common framework is created to conduct LCA (functional unit, system boundaries and product categories). A reference database of impact factors is developed allowing analysts to perform LCA in a simple manner. Some of the default impact factors are intentionally conservative. This choice is made to encourage manufacturers of photovoltaic system components to replace them with their own value to better match their systems impacts. This framework is available since the beginning of 2013.

Mots clés: guidelines; harmonised methodology; Life Cycle Assessment; photovoltaic system

Domaines: Energétique

Bastien Evon, Jérôme Payet, Isabelle Blanc, Didier Beloin-Saint-Pierre, Eric Raison, et al.. Methodological Framework for Assessing the Environmental Impacts of Photovoltaics Systems Using the LCA Method. 6th International Conférence on Life Cycle Management, Aug 2013, Gothenburg, Sweden. 4 p. ⟨hal-00920299⟩