Life Cycle Assessment of a Fresnel Solar Concentrator System for Micro-Cogeneration

Sustainable development involves the use of Earth resources with the aim of meeting human needs while preserving the environment (WCED, 1987). The challenge of renewable energy production is a very current topic in environmental sustainability due to the increasing urge to reduce the contribution of fossil fuels so as to limit first of all the natural resource depletion and secondary the air pollution. In this context the use of high efficiency photovoltaic (PV) systems (i.e. multiple junction PV cells, sun tracking and concentrating PV systems) together with micro-cogeneration systems for electric and thermal energy production is desirable. In this context this paper presents a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of a Fresnel lenses solar concentrator prototype, realized for electric and thermal energy micro-cogeneration and equipped with prototypal mono-crystalline cells. Aim of the study is the estimation of the global environmental impact of this energy generator system in a “cradle to grave” perspective. Different LCA methods are considered in the study and an indication of the Energy Payback Time (EPBT) is calculated in order to define the environmental and energetic convenience to produce and use the Fresnel lens solar concentrator system. Different geographical locations are also assumed for the photovoltaic-thermal concentrator plant installation and comparisons with alternative power plants are reported.