Author(s) :

Alexandra C. Chen.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

The world would be better if solar energy not only achieved high efficiency but also minimized its environmental impact across its entire life cycle. While monocrystalline silicon (mono-Si) solar cells dominate the market with proven efficiency and durability, and perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have surged forward with rapid efficiency gains, there remains a gap in understanding how their global warming potential (GWP) compares, especially given the much shorter lifespan of PSCs. This systematic review of life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of monocrystalline silicon and perovskite solar cells using the PRISMA framework evaluates and compares the GWP of mono-Si and PSCs in terms of gCO₂eq/kWh. It finds that mono-Si solar cells generally range between 19–210 gCO₂eq/kWh depending on technology and energy mix, whereas PSCs can achieve values as low as 6–12 gCO₂eq/kWh. These findings suggest that PSCs have strong potential, but only if their lifespans can approach the durability of mono-Si cells.