TY  - EJOU
AU  - Fonseca, Luiz Felipe Souza 
AU  - Andrade, Heitor do Nascimento 
AU  - Galiza, João Marcelo Fernandes Gualberto de 
AU  - Abrahão, Raphael 
AU  - Boleydei, Hamid 
AU  - Guillén-Lambea, Silvia 
AU  - Carvalho, Monica 

TI  - Greenhouse Gas Payback of a Solar Photovoltaic System in Northeast Brazil: Effects of the Application of a Solar Coating
T2  - Energy Engineering

PY  - 2025
VL  - 122
IS  - 8
SN  - 1546-0118

AB  - The application of different coatings on solar photovoltaic (PV) panels can be an efficient solution to increase performance and further mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases. This study uses the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and the environmental payback concept to analyze the effects of the application of a nano-silica coating on a solar PV system installed in the Brazilian Northeast. Firstly, an uncoated reference 16.4 MW PV system is designed, and the detailed inventory is presented (PV panels, supporting structure, inverters, junction boxes, cables, transportation, maintenance and operation—including the replacement of equipment). The results of the LCA quantify the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the PV system. Electricity production is estimated by technical and local climate data. Subsequently, the environmental payback time of the system is calculated, which is the time required for the PV system to offset the emissions associated with system manufacturing, operation, and disposal. This is the first Brazilian study to verify the effects of a self-cleaning coating on a solar PV system throughout its lifetime, compared to the uncoated (reference system). The original photovoltaic system emitted 22,534,773 kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq, with an environmental payback of 5 years and 1 day. When the self-cleaning coating is applied, the emissions are 21,511,317 kg CO<sub>2</sub>-eq (almost 5% lower) with a payback of 4 years, 1 month and 26 days. The application of self-cleaning coatings reduces the required area for installation (due to increased efficiency), and not only reduces emissions but is also aligned with global sustainability targets and contributes to the concept of sustainable and intelligent cities.
KW  - Photovoltaic energy; environmental impacts; greenhouse gas emissions; life cycle assessment; carbon footprint

DO  - 10.32604/ee.2025.066218