Carbon emissions and environmental benefits accounting of photovoltaic and coal-fired power based on whole life cycle

The photovoltaic, as renewable energy, has grown rapidly along with rapid growth, and coal-fired power units are also the cornerstone of the power system. The carbon emissions of both are key to determining the environmental value of green electricity. This study defined the boundaries and carbon emissions accounting of the whole life cycle of photovoltaic power generation and coal-fired power generation. Taking a photovoltaic power generation project and a coal-fired power unit as examples, this study calculated the carbon emissions and emission reduction benefits per kilowatt hour. Research has found that the carbon emissions of coal-fired power mainly come from the power generation stage. Although photovoltaic power projects have significant carbon emissions during the construction period, the carbon emissions of photovoltaic power are significantly lower than those of coal-fired power. low-carbon construction of photovoltaic power generation projects and upgrade coal-fired power units can reduce carbon emissions in the power industry. This can provide support for carbon emission tracking and refined carbon emission management throughout the whole life cycle of power projects, and provide reference for environmental rights certification of photovoltaic power.