Updates regarding ECS:
The following steps are now detailed in the ECS calculation:
Metallurgical silicon (manufacturing step prior to purification into solar grade polysilicon). This step, whose impact used to be included in the value of solar polysilicon, is now seperately specified. Bricking (cutting ingots into bricks before cutting into wafers) Similarly, this step, whose impact was previously included in the value of the “wafer” step, is now independently specified.
Consequence :
No increase in the value of the carbon impact, but the steps in the PV value chain are more detailed. This will allow to refine the knowledge on the impact of different production processes and to determine the optimization levers to reduce the carbon footprint of PV modules manufacturing.
For metallurgical silicon, a “default” GWP value has therefore been added to the specifications in method 1. We will see with the manufacturers whetheran LCA (Life Cycle Analysis) can demonstrate a reality below this default value.
Update of the “default” Global Warming Potential values (GWP) as well as loss and breakage coefficients
These coefficients have been updated to more accurately reflect the industrial reality. They are issued from the numerous LCAs carried out throughout the PV industry.
Following those new rules, it now makes sense to carry out cell LCAs as this allows for real optimisation compared to the “default” value provided in the new tender specifications.
Updates regarding LCA:
Country electricity mixes have been updated:
The carbon content of the electricity produced by countries around the world has changed for instance:
China value has been reduced from 1155 to 1024 gCO2e/kWhFrance value has been reduced from 112 to 52 gCO2e/kWh.
“IPCC” method for LCA has been updated:
The IPCC database contains the “CO2 equivalent” impact factors of the manufacturing steps (components, waste, emissions, etc.). They are the basic data used for carrying out LCAs.
On-site audit becomes mandatory
LCA is now valid for no more than 3 years
The PV sector, technologies and industrial processes are evolving rapidly. LCAs which have been carried out more than 3 years ago are no longer representative of todays manufacturing processes. An update of the LCAs previously carried out for existing certificates is therefore necessary in all cases in order to issue ECS according to the PPE2 method.
2 different scenarios:
The end of the LCA monitoring period is less than 3 years old:
An update is sufficient but anyway the LCA will be valid only until “data monitoring period” + 3 years (e.g. if existing LCA data were analysed in July 2021, then, even after update of the values the LCA is valid until July 2024)If no on-site audit has been carried out, they shall be achieved
The end of the LCA monitoring period is more than 3 years old:
LCA needs to be proceeded again , the LCA will be valid until [end of monitoring data period + 3 years].
Implementation of these new rules. What types of projects are concerned?
These new rules apply to CRE projects submitted starting from April 1st 2023. For the time being this concerns:
The ground-mounted CRE TendersThe Buildings rooftop CRE Tenders: “Solar power plants on buildings, greenhouses, hangars, carports and shading systems with a capacity higher than500 kWp”.
S21 projects (100-500kWp) for all first connection requests submitted by 31 March 2024.