LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT EXPERIENCES FOR SOLAR HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS

Solar heating and cooling systems can significantly contribute to the energy and climate European goals. A complete assessment of this contribution needs the analysis of these systems from a life-cycle perspective, in order to estimate the energy and environmental costs of their manufacturing and end-of-life, and to compare these costs with the benefits obtained during operation. A well-established methodology to fulfil this task is the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The paper describes some LCA experiences of solar heating and cooling systems, developed within the Task 53 “New generation solar cooling & heating systems (PV or solar thermally driven systems)” of the International Energy Agency. The results of these analyses can be useful to orientate manufacturers, researchers and decision makers for a more sustainable use of solar technologies.