LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF SOLAR COMMUNITIES: A SCENARIO ANALYSIS

The study proposes the comparisonof the life cycle performances of two different energy systems aimed at covering the needs of a large mixed-mode community, in Calgary (Canada). The two systems investigated are a“conventional” one, using heat pumps for heating, cooling and domestic hot water, and another one widely deploying solar thermal panels as well as a district heating infrastructure and a borehole seasonal thermal storage. The analysis is based on the LifeCycle Assessment (LCA) methodology and includes the stages of raw materials and energy supply, system manufacturing, use stage of the systems, generation and use of energy on-site, maintenance and components’ substitution, and explores the life cycle impacts of the two systems through the differentindicators of ILCD 2011 Midpoint impact assessment method. The solar-basedsystem, performs better than the conventional systemfor all the examined impact categories. In detail, the impact on ozone depletion and land use can be reduced of about 79.7% and 27% respectively, while the remaining impact categories show a reduction of about 39-56%.These results can be extended to other similar systems operating under similar weather constraints, energy systems included in the operation, thermal loads requirements. Moreover, the study is based on the premises and assumptions of real documented case studiesin Canada, thus further reinforcing the solidity of the results