Solar Whole Life Carbon Calculator

Step 1: Search for a location or click on the map

Latitude:

Longitude:

Year: Array Area (m²):

Total area of solar panels

Module Efficiency (%):

Typical range: 15-23%. Modern panels: 18-22%

Surface Tilt (°): Surface Azimuth (°):

180° = South (Northern Hemisphere), 0° = North (Southern Hemisphere)

Country (for grid emissions factor): Carbon factor override (kgCO₂e/kWh) — optional:

🏗️ Materials (Embodied Carbon A1-A3) - Optional +

Enter material quantities in kilograms. Leave blank or zero to skip.

Aluminium (kg):

Module frames, mounting rails (13.1 kgCO₂e/kg)

Steel (kg):

Mounting structures, piles (1.64 kgCO₂e/kg)

Concrete (kg):

Foundations, ballast (0.134 kgCO₂e/kg)

Glass (kg):

Module frontsheet (1.44 kgCO₂e/kg)

Silicon (PV cells) (kg):

Photovoltaic cells (13.5 kgCO₂e/kg)

Copper (kg):

Cabling, electrical components (2.71 kgCO₂e/kg)

🚛 Transport (A4) - Optional +

Add transport legs from factory to site. Each leg needs mode, distance, and mass.

Available transport modes:
• truck_hgv (0.111 kgCO₂e/tkm) - Average HGV
• truck_articulated (0.063 kgCO₂e/tkm) - Long-haul trucks
• ship_container (0.006 kgCO₂e/tkm) - Container ships
• rail_freight (0.027 kgCO₂e/tkm) - Rail freight

🏗️ Construction & Installation (A5) - Optional +

Choose calculation method for construction emissions.

Method:

Percentage of A1-A3 (%):

Typical range: 3-7% for solar PV

🔁 Component Replacements & Degradation (B2-B5) - Optional +

Model performance degradation and replacement of major components over the system lifetime.

System lifetime (years):

Typical solar PV lifetime: 25-30 years

Module degradation rate (% per year):

Typical range: 0.3-0.7% per year

Inverter lifetime (years):

Inverters often replaced once in a 25-year lifecycle

Inverter embodied carbon (kgCO₂e per kWp):

Estimate of embodied emissions for each inverter replacement

Additional replacement allowance (% of A1-A3):

Use for minor component swaps (cabling, switches, etc.)

🔋 Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) - Optional +

Tick if BESS is included

Solar Whole Life Carbon Calculator

Whole-Life Carbon Breakdown