  Solar photovoltaics which converts renewable solar energy into electricity
have become prominent as a measure to decarbonize electricity generation. The
operational carbon footprint of this technology is significantly lower compared
to electricity generation using conventional non-renewable fuels. The
operationalization of photovoltaic electricity generation however results in
significant emissions which are loaded upfront into the atmosphere. An analysis
of the embodied energy in Si solar panels manufacturing and installation, and
associated CO2 emissions clearly show their global warming potential.
Installation of 10 TWp capacity requires 150 Exa Joules of energy and results
in 7 to 13 GTons of emissions depending on the embodied energy mix. Particulate
and other gaseous emissions as well as water consumption will be additional.
These are significant emissions requiring development of alternate low carbon
footprint manufacturing technologies and clearly shows the flip side of recent
prediction of Terawatt scale photovoltaics.
