logo
ResearchBunny Logo
Deploying solar photovoltaic energy first in carbon-intensive regions brings gigatons more carbon mitigations to 2060

Environmental Studies and Forestry

Deploying solar photovoltaic energy first in carbon-intensive regions brings gigatons more carbon mitigations to 2060

S. Chen, X. Lu, et al.

Discover groundbreaking insights into the solar photovoltaic industry's impact on greenhouse gas mitigation from 2009 to 2060, revealing a staggering potential of 204.7 Gt CO2-equivalent reduction through optimized manufacturing and installations in carbon-intensive countries. This pivotal research, conducted by Shi Chen, Xi Lu, Chris P. Nielsen, Michael B. McElroy, Gang He, Shaohui Zhang, Kebin He, Xiu Yang, Fang Zhang, and Jiming Hao, emphasizes the importance of international coordination for maximizing GHG mitigation.... show more
Abstract
The global surge in solar photovoltaic (PV) power has featured spatial specialization from manufacturing to installation along its industrial chain. Yet how to improve PV climate benefits are under-investigated. Here we explore the evolution of net greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation of PV industry from 2009–2060 with a spatialized-dynamic life-cycle-analysis. Results suggest a net GHG mitigation of 1.29 Gt CO2-equivalent from 2009–2019, achieved by 1.97 Gt of mitigation from installation minus 0.68 Gt of emissions from manufacturing. The highest net GHG mitigation among future manufacturing-installation-scenarios to meet 40% global power demand in 2060 is as high as 204.7 Gt from 2020–2060, featuring manufacturing concentrated in Europe and North America and prioritized PV installations in carbon-intensive nations. This represents 97.5 Gt more net mitigation than the worst-case scenario, equivalent to 1.9 times 2020 global GHG emissions. The results call for strategic international coordination of PV industrial chain to increase GHG net mitigation.
Publisher
Communications Earth & Environment
Published On
Oct 11, 2023
Authors
Shi Chen, Xi Lu, Chris P. Nielsen, Michael B. McElroy, Gang He, Shaohui Zhang, Kebin He, Xiu Yang, Fang Zhang, Jiming Hao
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01006-x
Tags
greenhouse gas mitigation
solar photovoltaic
life-cycle analysis
spatialized-dynamic
international coordination
carbon-intensive nations
manufacturing

Related Publications

Explore these studies to deepen your understanding of the subject.

Solar energy and regional coordination as a feasible alternative to large hydropower in Southeast Asia
Environmental Studies and Forestry

Solar energy and regional coordination as a feasible alternative to large hydropower in Southeast Asia

K. Siala, A. K. Chowdhury, et al.

Record high solar irradiance in Western Europe during first COVID-19 lockdown largely due to unusual weather
Earth Sciences

Record high solar irradiance in Western Europe during first COVID-19 lockdown largely due to unusual weather

C. C. V. Heerwaarden, W. B. Mol, et al.

More water-soluble brown carbon after the residential “coal-to-gas” conversion measure in urban Beijing
Environmental Studies and Forestry

More water-soluble brown carbon after the residential “coal-to-gas” conversion measure in urban Beijing

W. Yuan, R. Huang, et al.

Energy losses in photovoltaic generators due to wind patterns
Engineering and Technology

Energy losses in photovoltaic generators due to wind patterns

C. Rossa

Listen, Learn & Level Up
Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.
No more digging through PDFs, just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.
listen to research audio papers with researchbunny