A Framework to Estimate Life Cycle Emissions for Vehicle-Integrated Photovoltaic Systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a comprehensive framework to estimate the life cycle emissions of vehicle-integrated photovoltaic systems, considering production, use, and regional electricity mix impacts, aiding sustainable solar vehicle deployment.

Contribution

It develops a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment combined with an optimization framework for designing solar electric vehicles, accounting for regional variations in emissions and energy consumption.

Findings

Cradle-to-gate emissions for panels are approximately 118 kg CO2e/m².

Operating in high irradiation countries reduces overall emissions.

Low-carbon electricity mixes diminish the benefits of vehicle-integrated photovoltaics.

Abstract

This paper presents a framework to estimate the environmental impact of solar electric vehicles, accounting for the emissions caused by photovoltaic system production as well as vehicle use. We leverage a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of the vehicle-integrated photovoltaic system, from the raw material extraction to the final panel assembly, including the effect of the electricity mix both at the factory location and in the country of use. %the vehicle's life cycle, considering both Furthermore, we modify an existing optimization framework for battery electric vehicles to optimally design a solar electric vehicle and estimate its energy consumption. We showcase our framework by analyzing a case study where the mono-crystalline silicon extraction and refinement processes occur in China, while the final assembly of the panel is in The Netherlands, generating 118 kg of CO2 equivalents per square meter of solar panel. The results suggest that it is generally beneficial to operate solar electric vehicles in countries with a high irradiation index. However, when the local electricity mix already displays a low carbon intensity, the additional emissions introduced by the panel are unnecessary, requiring a longer vehicle lifetime to reach an advantageous emission balance.