Emissions reduction data for grid-connected photovoltaic power systems

This study measured the pollutant emission reduction potential of 29 photovoltaic (PV) systems installed on residential and commercial building rooftops across the US from 1993 through 1997. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and 21 electric power companies sponsored the project. This article presents results of analyses of each PV system’s ability to offset electric utility power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide (SO 2), nitrogen oxides (NO x ), and carbon dioxide (CO 2). Each PV system’s performance was monitored and compared with hour-by-hour operating characteristics of the participating electric utilities in order to determine pollution offsets. The monthly mean and standard deviation offset are given for each pollutant, along with the coefficient of variation.