Environmental benefits of using photovoltaic panels in Malta

Abstract

At this point in time, one of the most debated environmental issues is climate change. Climate change is caused by the increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere which is caused by the burning of fossil fuels. To try to mitigate the effect of climate change, the use of renewable energy is on the increase. This study sees whether it is environmentally sustainable to operate a crystalline silicon photovoltaic panel in the Maltese Islands by calculating the energy payback period and emission recovery period of a photovoltaic panel in Malta. The energy payback period of a panel operating in Malta is 1.74 years for a panel manufactured in China and 1.73 years for a panel manufactured in Germany. This is also seen from the emission recovery period calculated, where it is seen that the same amount of emissions of the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, which were emitted during the panel’s manufacturing and transportation, are prevented in less than 7 years of operation. This study concluded that a photovoltaic panel operating in the Maltese Islands is environmentally sustainable.