One current estimate is 35 to 58 g CO2e/kWh (this is explained in the last paragraph of this answer). Another estimate at the link cited below says 23.6 g CO2e/kWh for thin film CdTe cells. This compares to 25 to 80 for biomass, 3 to 10 for hydro, and about 5 to 15 for wind. I have often seen huge differences in estimates of the carbon footprint of nuclear power, ranging from 2 to 288 g CO2e/kWh. It seems that the actual number is probably more than 66 g CO2e/kWh, and very possibly more than 90.
PV technology is changing rapidly, both for the actual PV and for the manufacture of PVs. The above estimate is not for thin-film PVs, and these promise to have a much smaller carbon footprint. Also, the estimate given is for PVs that are 5% efficient in producing power, and increases in power output will decrease the carbon footprint. Current PVs are mostly considerably more efficient, and at 7.5% efficiency, the carbon footprint is cut to 23 to 39 g CO2e/kWh. New, gadolinium-based PV technologies are said to be as high as 40% efficient, but I have not seen any estimates of their carbon footprints and could not guess, because I do not know how they are manufactured.
By the way, thermal solar power, such as is used in solar hot water, is about 60 to 65% efficient, and has much lower cost, in terms of global warming gasses, than PVs. It has a carbon footprint that might even be smaller than wind's.
The carbon footprint is calculated in grams of CO2 equivalent per kilowatt hour (g CO2e/kWh). Properly, this includes all phases of manufacture of equipment and fuel, transportation, installation, operation, and disposal. Calculations are often deceptive because steps are left out for some technologies, notably the decommissioning and disposal steps are often left out in calculation of carbon footprints for nuclear power. The "equivalent" part happens because of global warming gasses other than CO2. For example, the nitrogen trifluoried used in manufacture of photovoltaic panels is about 17,000 times as powerful as CO2 for global warming, so an estimate of the amount leaking into the environment from the manufacturing process has to be included.
Can you explain what a carbon footprint is and why it's important? How do you think individuals can reduce their carbon footprint in their daily lives? What strategies would you suggest for a company looking to lower its carbon footprint?
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can reduce your emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere.
A carbon footprint rap is a song or poem that uses rhythm and rhyme to raise awareness about environmental issues, particularly related to carbon emissions and their impact on the planet. It often highlights the importance of reducing our carbon footprint by making sustainable choices in our daily lives.
The amount of carbon dioxide emissions from transport each day is part of a person's carbon footprint.
The carbon footprint of the average American is around 16 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
A photovoltaic cell.A photovoltaic cell.A photovoltaic cell.A photovoltaic cell.
Can you explain what a carbon footprint is and why it's important? How do you think individuals can reduce their carbon footprint in their daily lives? What strategies would you suggest for a company looking to lower its carbon footprint?
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, you can reduce your emissions of CO2 (carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere.
There are many places to find a carbon footprint calculator. The Environmental Protection Agency offers a carbon footprint calculator on their website.
A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.
A photovoltaic cell primarily receives energy input from sunlight.
If Bigfoot were made of coal, he would have a massive carbon footprint.
Yes. Your carbon footprint is the measure of how much carbon dioxide equivalent you, or any of your activities produce. A car burns petrol (gasoline) so its use has a carbon footprint.
The photovoltaic cell generated electricity when it was pointed at the sunlight.
A carbon footprint rap is a song or poem that uses rhythm and rhyme to raise awareness about environmental issues, particularly related to carbon emissions and their impact on the planet. It often highlights the importance of reducing our carbon footprint by making sustainable choices in our daily lives.
A solar cell or photovoltaic cell is a device that converts light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect.
The amount of carbon dioxide emissions from transport each day is part of a person's carbon footprint.