Recording of Monday, June 22, 2026 | The smarter E Europe Conferences 2026 | Language: English | Duration: 11:10 .

Sustainability and Environmental Impact of Photovoltaic Systems

Solar energy, particularly through photovoltaic (PV) systems, presents environmental challenges, including carbon emissions, resource depletion, and toxicity in manufacturing. The comprehensive lifecycle of PV systems encompasses stages from raw material extraction to disposal, and this intricate process generates various emissions and waste materials. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is critical for quantifying these impacts, directing stakeholders in improving sustainability practices. The International Energy Agency (IEA) supports global cooperation in reducing carbon emissions while promoting energy efficiency, as seen in its Photovoltaic Power Systems Program and Task 12, which emphasizes sustainability in PV systems. In France, advanced tender processes require manufacturers to transparently provide supply chain data, thereby enhancing the assessment of PV sustainability. The data from these tenders is essential for informed decision-making and highlights shifts in global capacity across the PV lifecycle, particularly in significant markets like China. Moreover, PV technology shows a low carbon footprint in comparison to other energy sources, indicating its role in the decarbonization of the energy sector.

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Speaker

Matthias Stucki
Head of LCA Research Group
ZHAW - University of Applied Sciences Zurich
Switzerland

Talk of session: Sustainable Solar: How Policy Changes Impact ESG Practices in Solar System Design and Component Sourcing

Europe's solar market has lately been influenced by ESG and supply chain transparency. Yet shifting political priorities and tighter project budgets have been refocusing attention on feasibility and cost. How essential are sustainability criteria today? Considering supply security, raw material availability and circular economy principles, this session will explore how new EU regulations and market demands are reshaping ESG strategies in solar system design and the procurement of components.

Key topics:

• Updates on European ESG policy frameworks
• Forced labor regulation and transparency rules
• CBAM and carbon-related trade measures
• Sustainability strategies of manufacturers and offtakers
• Recycling and its implications for raw material costs

Further Talks of this session:

Strategies in PV Manufacturing for Solar Sustainablity in a Changing Market Environment

Speaker

Mario Quintana Aroca
ESG Manager Europe
JinkoSolar
China

To Talk

Q&A

To Talk

Quo Vadis Solar Module Recycling

Speaker

Lukas Braun
E&D Engineer
SOLAR MATERIALS GmbH
Germany

To Talk