The carbon footprint of modules produced by Innotech Solar (ITS) is as much as 80% better than that of standard crystalline modules. These are the findings of a recent study by SmartGreenScans, a Dutch test institute specializing in the life cycle analysis of photovoltaic systems. While over 870 kilograms (kg) of CO2 are emitted per kilowatt peak (kWp) when manufacturing conventional crystalline modules, emissions total between just 180 and 265 kg of CO2 per kWp with ITS modules, depending on the module type. ITS modules thus save quantities of CO2 equaling those required to manufacture them after only four months in operation.
“We have been analyzing photovoltaic modules for ten years, assessing each component with respect to various criteria, including country of manufacture and materials,” explains Mariska de Wild-Scholten, Director of SmartGreenScans. “Our calculations show that ITS modules have a particularly good carbon footprint because Innotech Solar optimizes unused cells from other manufacturers and thus reintegrates them into the value chain.” Moreover, ITS modules achieve higher energy yields per kWp of installed capacity than standard modules, meaning that they generate more environmentally-friendly power and thus avoid additional CO2 emissions.
Based on this understanding of the energy savings that are feasible, Innotech Solar is calling for the introduction of a scheme incentivizing the environmentally-friendly production of solar modules: “France is leading by example and, to date, is the only country to have drafted an incentive program for solar modules with excellent carbon footprints. Other governments should follow suit and introduce incentives so that photovoltaic products with good all round green credentials are able to prevail in other countries, too,” states Dr. Thomas Hillig, Director Sales & Marketing EMEA at Innotech Solar. “This would also serve to strengthen the European photovoltaics industry, which – like ITS – places greater importance on the careful use of resources than competitors in the Far East.”
The Innotech Solar manufacturing process utilizes especially low quantities of energy, as the modules consist of optimized solar cells: The company’s own research teams have developed an innovative method of improving the performance of new, unused cells from other manufacturers. This involves using thermal imaging to identify cell areas that are impairing performance and then isolating them using special automated lasers. Strict testing on the cells, for example by taking additional thermal images after processing, ensures the outstanding quality of ITS modules. The excellent performance of Innotech Solar modules is also validated by tests from independent reviewers such as the Fraunhofer Institute and the Max Planck Institute.
The production sites in Halle and Narvik are powered by green electricity from solar and hydropower plants. Short transportation routes from the factories in Scandinavia and Germany to the main sales markets in Europe additionally improve the company’s carbon footprint.