Life cycle assessment of concentrating solar power systems and concentrating photovoltaic systems: A review

In the context of decarbonization, the application of Life Cycle Assessment to renewable energy-based systems is a key step for quantifying their real environmental benefits. This paper reviews the scientific literature on the applications of Life Cycle Assessment to concentrating solar power systems and concentrating photovoltaic systems. The review shows a higher number of studies applied to concentrating solar power systems than concentrating photovoltaic systems (83 % and 17 % of the studies, respectively), and four concentration systems are examined specifically: parabolic, tower, Fresnel and dish-stirling. Key factors such as plant components and materials, presence of storage systems, hybridization, and geographic location were considered to evaluate their influence on environmental outcomes. The review highlights the contributions of individual materials and life-cycle stages, as well as the benefits of storage systems. However, no definitive conclusion can be drawn regarding which technology consistently provides superior energy and environmental performance, due to methodological variability and differences in technological configurations across studies. The analysis also identifies research gaps, particularly for CPV, dish-Stirling and Fresnel systems, emphasizing the need for more uniform LCA methodologies in future studies. This review offers a comprehensive synthesis of LCA applications in concentrated solar technologies, providing guidance for future research and supporting the development and optimization of CSP and CPV systems.