Presentation Details
| Life Cycle Assessment of CdTe BIPV in the Nordic Built Environment Ilham Ihoume1, 2, Michiel van Noord3, Ammar Ahmed4, André Augusto1, 2. 1Sustainable Energy Research Centre, Dalarna University Falun, Sweden.2 Energy Engineering, School of Information and Engineering, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden.3RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Division Built Environment, System Transition, Stockholm, Sweden.4Energy and Environment Division, TÜV Rheinland, Alkhobar, Saudi Arabia |
Abstract
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in buildings is critical for Nordic climate targets, although the environmental performance of building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) under cold‑climate conditions remains underexplored. This study evaluates the life cycle impacts of an operational cadmium telluride (CdTe) BIPV façade at Dalarna University, Sweden. A cradle to grave life cycle assessment was conducted for 1 m² of façade integrated BIPV over a 30 year lifespan, with key performance indicators including nonrenewable energy payback time (NREPBT) and net CO₂ savings. The results show that module manufacturing dominates environmental impacts, while recycling reduces emissions by 6.4 kg CO₂ eq/m². The South façade achieved an NREPBT of 0.73 years and net CO₂ savings of 40 kg CO₂/m², while the East façade reached 0.8 years and 31 kg CO₂/m², highlighting orientation effects. Sensitivity analysis indicates that NREPBT varies by −5.5% to +6.8% with performance ratio (0.80–0.90) and by −4.1% to +2.7% with degradation rates (0.5–0.9%/year). In contrast, net CO₂ savings fluctuate by −32.5% to +23.2% with grid carbon intensity (30–40 g CO₂/kWh) and decrease by 60% when system lifetime is reduced from 30 to 20 years. These findings provide Nordic specific evidence of CdTe BIPV energy and climate performance, supporting their use in sustainable building design.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.