The carbon emissions mitigated per MW of solar PV in a grid-connected system depend on the displaced grid's carbon intensity and the solar system's output. A 1 MW solar PV system typically generates ~1,500 MWh/year, mitigating:

Mitigated CO₂ (tonnes/year)=1,500 MWh/year×Grid CO₂ Intensity (kg CO₂/kWh).\text{Mitigated CO₂ (tonnes/year)} = \text{1,500 MWh/year} \times \text{Grid CO₂ Intensity (kg CO₂/kWh)}.Mitigated CO₂ (tonnes/year)=1,500 MWh/year×Grid CO₂ Intensity (kg CO₂/kWh).

For coal-based grids (~1 kg CO₂/kWh), mitigation is ~1,500 tonnes CO₂/year. Accounting for solar lifecycle emissions (~30 g CO₂/kWh), net mitigation is ~1,455 tonnes CO₂/year.

The carbon emissions mitigated per megawatt (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) installation in a grid-connected system can be estimated by considering the following factors:

Estimating the Carbon Emissions Mitigated

To calculate the carbon emissions mitigated per MW of solar PV installation, we need the following:

General Steps for Calculation

• Annual Energy Production from 1 MW of Solar PV:Annual Energy Production=Capacity (MW)×Capacity Factor×Hours in a Year (8760)\text{Annual Energy Production} = \text{Capacity (MW)} \times \text{Capacity Factor} \times \text{Hours in a Year (8760)}For example, assuming a capacity factor of 20% (this can vary depending on location), the annual energy production from 1 MW of solar PV would be:1 MW×0.20×8760 hours=1,752 MWh/year1 \, \text{MW} \times 0.20 \times 8760 \, \text{hours} = 1,752 \, \text{MWh/year}This means 1 MW of solar PV could generate approximately 1,752 MWh per year, assuming a 20% capacity factor.
• Carbon Emissions Mitigated (tons/year)=Annual Energy Production (MWh/year)×Carbon Intensity of Grid (gCO2/kWh)1000\text{Carbon Emissions Mitigated (tons/year)} = \frac{\text{Annual Energy Production (MWh/year)} \times \text{Carbon Intensity of Grid (gCO2/kWh)}}{1000}Carbon Emissions Mitigated: If the carbon intensity of the grid electricity is X gCO2/kWhX \, \text{gCO2/kWh}, then the total carbon emissions mitigated annually by the solar PV system would be:Carbon Emissions Mitigated=Annual Energy Production×Carbon Intensity of Grid\text{Carbon Emissions Mitigated} = \text{Annual Energy Production} \times \text{Carbon Intensity of Grid}In terms of metric tons of CO2:

Example Calculation

Let's assume the following:

• The grid's carbon intensity is 500 gCO2/kWh (a typical value for a grid mix with significant fossil fuel contribution).
• 1 MW of solar PV generates approximately 1,752 MWh annually (with a 20% capacity factor).

The carbon emissions mitigated would be:

Carbon Emissions Mitigated=1,752 MWh/year×500 gCO2/kWh1000\text{Carbon Emissions Mitigated} = \frac{1,752 \, \text{MWh/year} \times 500 \, \text{gCO2/kWh}}{1000} Carbon Emissions Mitigated=876,000 kg CO2/year=876 tons CO2/year\text{Carbon Emissions Mitigated} = 876,000 \, \text{kg CO2/year} = 876 \, \text{tons CO2/year}

So, 1 MW of solar PV installation in a grid-connected system with a 500 gCO2/kWh carbon intensity grid could mitigate approximately 876 tons of CO2 per year.

Important Considerations:

• Grid Carbon Intensity: This value can vary widely based on the local energy mix. In regions heavily reliant on coal, the carbon intensity could be higher (e.g., 900–1000 gCO2/kWh), whereas grids with a higher share of renewable energy will have lower carbon intensities (e.g., 100–300 gCO2/kWh).
• Capacity Factor: The actual energy produced by solar depends on geographic location, local weather patterns, and the technology used. The capacity factor for solar typically ranges between 15% and 25%, but it can vary.

Conclusion:

For a grid with a carbon intensity of 500 gCO2/kWh, 1 MW of solar PV can mitigate approximately 876 tons of CO2 per year. This number will vary depending on the region's grid mix and solar generation conditions.