In September 2024 Luxen Solar obtained the certificate of product carbon footprint from China National Testing and Certification Holding Group Co., Ltd. The evaluation follows internationally recognized standards, including ISO 14067 carbon footprint certification, which provides guidelines for quantifying product carbon footprints, GB/T 24040, which establishes principles and a framework for Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), GB/T 24044, which sets requirements and guidelines for environmental management LCA, and the PAS 2050:2011 Guidelines, which help identify emission hotspots and reduction opportunities in the supply chain.
This study follows a Cradle-to-Gate system boundary, covering raw material acquisition, raw material transportation, and product manufacturing. The total carbon footprint of 1Watt PV modules is measured at 379 grams of CO₂ equivalent per watt. The breakdown of emissions shows that 96.87 percent originates from raw material production, 0.25 percent from transportation, and 2.88 percent from manufacturing.
These findings underscore the critical role of raw materials in the overall carbon footprint, reinforcing the importance of responsible sourcing. At this stage, solar cells are the largest contributor, accounting for 65.64% of emissions, followed by aluminum frames (10.19%), glass (8.53%), and pallets (2.52%).
Obtaining the ISO 14067 carbon footprint certification ensures Luxen’s alignment with international environmental regulations and green procurement policies.
Further Driving Down Carbon
Key recommendations for further improving the carbon footprint of photovoltaic modules include optimizing raw material sourcing by strengthening supplier management, selecting lower-emission materials, and reducing raw material waste. Additionally, production efficiency can be enhanced through energy-saving renovations, upgrading the efficiency of energy-consuming equipment, and increasing the use of clean energy in the manufacturing process.
This carbon footprint evaluation provides a clear benchmark for emissions management and highlights opportunities for reducing the environmental impact of solar module production through improvements in supply chain management and clean energy adoption.
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