Understand the environmental indicators
The Environment tab presents indicative figures associated with estimated PV production. They complement the Energy results but do not constitute a certified, detailed life cycle assessment.
Avoided emissions
Section titled “Avoided emissions”- Annual avoided CO₂ emissions: estimated emissions associated with the electricity displaced by PV production, using a reference factor.
- Avoided CO₂ emissions over the assessment period: projection over the selected period.
- Equivalent trees and car kilometers: illustrative comparisons using conversion factors, not site-specific measurements.
These indicators depend on estimated production and the reference country. They can vary with the conventions used.
Embodied energy and energy payback
Section titled “Embodied energy and energy payback”- Embodied energy: estimated energy required to manufacture, transport and install the PV equipment.
- Energy payback time: theoretical time needed for production to offset the assumed embodied energy.
- Net energy over the assessment period: estimated cumulative production minus embodied energy.
- EROI: ratio of energy produced over the assessment period to the energy required for the system under the model’s assumptions.
Energy payback is an energy measure. Do not confuse it with the financial payback period.
Other indicators
Section titled “Other indicators”The section may also show primary energy savings, a primary energy factor, estimated PV area and power density.
Interpret the results
Section titled “Interpret the results”The underlying production depends on project capacity, the horizon profile and model assumptions. Changing the settings or profile can change these indicators.
Compare variants of the same project using identical assumptions. For energy calculations, see Energy and production; for financial payback, see Economic analysis.