Sunshine to Scrap: Is Solar a Viable Long-Term Energy Solution for Embry-Riddle?
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
In Person or Zoom Presentation
In-Person
Campus
Daytona Beach
Status
Student
Student Year and Major
2029 Aerospace Engineering
Presentation Description/Abstract
Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus sits in a county that generates about 97% of its electricity from natural gas, so campus electricity is tied to greenhouse gas emissions: the carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases released when fuels are burned. Solar photovoltaics (PV), panels that turn sunlight directly into electricity without burning fuel, are a strong candidate solution because the campus receives more than 230 days of sunshine a year and life-cycle assessments put crystalline silicon PV at a harmonized median of 45 g CO2-eq/kWh, compared with roughly 500 for natural gas. However, panels last only about 25 to 30 years, and most discarded panels currently end up in landfills. This project proposes solar PV for campus and examines what a responsible installation would require across its full life cycle. I have conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed life-cycle assessments, national laboratory reports, and recycling cost studies, comparing emissions and costs at manufacturing, installation, operation, and end of life. Findings suggest the emissions case is strong, but disposal is the weak point: recycling a panel costs $15 to $45 versus $1 to $5 for landfill, the risk of metals such as lead leaching from landfilled panels remains uncertain, and IRENA projects solar waste could exceed 200 million tonnes globally by 2050. Solar can meaningfully cut the emissions behind campus electricity, and Embry-Riddle should pursue it with safeguards: recycling or take-back terms in installation contracts, a budgeted end-of-life fund, and panels designed for recyclability.
Sunshine to Scrap: Is Solar a Viable Long-Term Energy Solution for Embry-Riddle?
Keywords
Solar energy, photovoltaics, life-cycle assessment, campus sustainability, greenhouse gas emissions, solar panel recycling, e-waste, renewable energy
Sunshine to Scrap: Is Solar a Viable Long-Term Energy Solution for Embry-Riddle?
Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach campus sits in a county that generates about 97% of its electricity from natural gas, so campus electricity is tied to greenhouse gas emissions: the carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases released when fuels are burned. Solar photovoltaics (PV), panels that turn sunlight directly into electricity without burning fuel, are a strong candidate solution because the campus receives more than 230 days of sunshine a year and life-cycle assessments put crystalline silicon PV at a harmonized median of 45 g CO2-eq/kWh, compared with roughly 500 for natural gas. However, panels last only about 25 to 30 years, and most discarded panels currently end up in landfills. This project proposes solar PV for campus and examines what a responsible installation would require across its full life cycle. I have conducted a literature review of peer-reviewed life-cycle assessments, national laboratory reports, and recycling cost studies, comparing emissions and costs at manufacturing, installation, operation, and end of life. Findings suggest the emissions case is strong, but disposal is the weak point: recycling a panel costs $15 to $45 versus $1 to $5 for landfill, the risk of metals such as lead leaching from landfilled panels remains uncertain, and IRENA projects solar waste could exceed 200 million tonnes globally by 2050. Solar can meaningfully cut the emissions behind campus electricity, and Embry-Riddle should pursue it with safeguards: recycling or take-back terms in installation contracts, a budgeted end-of-life fund, and panels designed for recyclability.
Sunshine to Scrap: Is Solar a Viable Long-Term Energy Solution for Embry-Riddle?