Environmental Impact Of Photovoltaic Technologies And Solar Systems For The Energy Transition Of Urban Areas

Globally, urban areas are both major consumers of energy and environmental hotspots of emissions, making cities critical targets for climate mitigation strategies. In the European Union, the energy sector alone is responsible for approximately 78% of total GHG emissions1. In response, the EU has adopted a series of ambitious frameworks and targets, Renewable Energy Directive III2 and the EU Mission: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities of Horizon Europe programme3, to drive the transition from fossil-based energy to renewable sources. Among the renewable energy technologies, photovoltaic (PV) systems have emerged as a cornerstone due to their scalability, declining costs, and potential for decentralized generation. However, the production of PV modules involves energy-intensive processes, the use of scarce or hazardous materials, and generates waste that must be carefully managed4. Moreover, the disposal or recycling of PV systems at the end of their service life presents further challenges, particularly in the context of a circular economy5. To better integrate PV energy into urban landscapes, one innovative solution is the use of photovoltaic shelters, structures that incorporate PV modules into their design. Despite their potential, a comprehensive assessment of their environmental performance is still limited in the literature. This study addresses this gap by evaluating the environmental impact of photovoltaic shelters using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. The analysis leverages data from gray literature for photovoltaic modules’ environmental profile and combines it with modeled data for structural components and balance of system (BoS) elements, cross-referencing peer-reviewed literature and technical specifications. Through this analysis, the work aims to support policymakers, urban planners, and energy stakeholders in making informed decisions that align with EU climate objectives, while minimizing the unintended environmental trade-offs of the green energy transition.