All Issue

2025 Vol.19, Issue 6 Preview Page

Research Article

A Study on Carbon Emission Feasibility Analysis of Photovoltaic System Application for ZEB Conversion of Passive Buildings Based on LCA

LCA 기반 패시브 건축물의 ZEB 전환을 위한 태양광 설비 적용의 탄소배출 타당성 분석에 관한 연구

Chan-Hyeok Kang1
,
Bo-Kyung Jung2
,
Young-Cheol Kwon3*
강 찬혁1
,
정 보경2
,
권 영철3*
1Integrated Master’s and Doctoral Course, Department of Architectural Engineering, Graduate School, Kwangwoon University, Seoul, Korea
2Head, Innovation Group, EnergyX Inc, Goyang, Korea
3Professor, Department of Architecture, Halla University, Wonju, Korea
1광운대학교 일반대학원 건축공학과 석박통합과정
2에너지엑스㈜ 이노베이션그룹 대표
3한라대학교 건축학과 교수
*Corresponding Author
30 December 2025. pp. 345-357
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

This study evaluates the carbon-emission feasibility of applying photovoltaic (PV) systems in the process of converting passive buildings into Zero Energy Buildings (ZEB) using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach. While previous ZEB-related studies have primarily focused on reducing operational energy consumption through the adoption of renewable energy systems, they have often overlooked the embodied carbon emissions generated during the production, transportation, installation, and disposal of such systems. To address this limitation, this study quantitatively compares the life cycle embodied carbon of PV systems with the operational carbon reduction they achieve during use. The embodied carbon emissions were calculated using Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) data and LCA-based emission factors, whereas the operational carbon reduction was estimated by applying regional photovoltaic generation potential and national grid emission factors. The results show that although PV systems generally contribute to enhancing energy self-sufficiency in passive buildings, their net carbon reduction performance varies depending on factors such as installation capacity, regional solar irradiance, and electricity grid intensity. However, in the case examined, the carbon recovery ratio (CRR) exceeded 1, indicating that PV installation achieves a net reduction in life cycle carbon emissions. These findings highlight the necessity of incorporating a carbon-based evaluation framework that considers both embodied and operational emissions when establishing PV application strategies for ZEB implementation.

Keywords
Life Cycle Assessment
Embodied Carbon
Photovoltaics
Passive Building
Zero Energy Building
Carbon Recovery Ratio
키워드
전과정평가
내재 탄소
태양광(PV)
패시브 건축물
제로에너지건축물
탄소회수비율
References
1

Feist, W., Schnieders, J., Dorer, V., Haas, A. (2005). Re-inventing air heating: Convenient and comfortable within the frame of the Passive House concept. Energy and Buildings, 37(11), 1186-1203.

10.1016/j.enbuild.2005.06.020
2

Fernandez, J.E. (2016). Resource consumption of new urban construction in China. Journal of Industrial Ecology, 20(6), 1139-1151.

3

Jung, Y.G., Yun, J.Y., Bae, K.W., Lim, S.H., Chung, M.H., Moon, J.W., Park, J.C. (2025). Application of life-cycle assessment approach to zero energy buildings: Case study of an office building in South Korea. Advances in Civil Engineering. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/adce/9398887.

10.1155/adce/9398887
4

Li, H., Li, Y., Wang, Z., Shao, S., Deng, G., Xue, H., Xu, Z., Yang, Y. (2022). Integrated building envelope performance evaluation method towards nearly zero energy buildings based on operation data. Energy and Buildings, 268, 112219.

10.1016/j.enbuild.2022.112219
5

Nugent, D., Sovacool, B.K. (2014). Lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from solar PV and wind energy: A critical meta-survey. Energy Policy, 65, 229-244.

10.1016/j.enpol.2013.10.048
6

Sherwani, A.F., Usmani, J.A., Varun. (2010). Life cycle assessment of solar PV based electricity generation systems: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 14(1), 540-544.

10.1016/j.rser.2009.08.003
7

Fthenakis, V.M., Kim, H.C., Frischknecht, R. (2012). Life cycle assessment of photovoltaics: Perceptions, needs, and challenges. 3rd International Conference on PV Modules Recycling. International Energy Agency.

8

Kwon, Y.C. (2023). Architectural Environmental Planning (in Korean). Seoul: Hansol Academy.

9

European Commission. (2021). Level(s) — Building sustainability performance framework.

10

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. (2019). Life cycle analysis of photovoltaic systems.

11

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE. (2023). Photovoltaics Report. Fraunhofer ISE.

12

German Sustainable Building Council (DGNB). (2020). DGNB System: Criteria Set for Buildings.

13

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.

14

International Energy Agency (IEA). (2018). World Energy Outlook 2018. International Energy Agency.

15

International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems Programme (IEA PVPS). (2020). Trends in photovoltaic applications 2020. IEA Report.

16

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). (2019). ZEB Roadmap in Japan. METI.

17

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT). (2022). Zero Energy Building Certification Regulations.

18

Passive House Institute (PHI). (2015). Criteria for the Passive House, EnerPHit and PHI Low Energy Building Standard.

19

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. (2017). Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment (RICS guidance note).

20

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). (2020). DOE Zero Energy Ready Home Program Requirements.

21

World Green Building Council. (2019). Bringing embodied carbon upfront. WGBC.

22

EN 15978. (2011). Sustainability of construction works – Assessment of environmental performance of buildings – Calculation method. European Committee for Standardization (CEN).

23

ISO 14040. (2006). Environmental management – Life cycle assessment – Principles and framework. International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

24

Environmental Product Declaration (EPD Italy). (2023). Environmental Product Declaration – Mono-Si PV module. Program Operator: EPD Italy. Available at: https://www.epditaly.it [Accessed on 12/2024].

25

Korean Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI). (2023). Korea Environmental Product Declaration (K-EPD) Database – Photovoltaic modules. Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. Available at: https://www.epd.or.kr [Accessed on 05/2025].

26

National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. (2022). Korea grid emission factor. Ministry of Environment, Republic of Korea. Available at: https://www.gir.go.kr/ [Accessed on 11/2024].

27

National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (2012). Life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from solar photovoltaics. U.S. Department of Energy. Available at: https://www.nrel.gov [Accessed on 08/2025].

10.2172/1056745
28

Passive House Institute Korea (PHI). (2022). Passive House certification casebook (in Korean). Available at: https://www.phiko.kr [Accessed on 07/2025].

Information
  • Publisher :Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국건축친환경설비학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국건축친환경설비학회논문집
  • Volume : 19
  • No :6
  • Pages :345-357
  • Received Date : 2025-10-27
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-20
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-24
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.22696/jkiaebs.20250030
Journal Informaiton Journal of Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems Journal of Korean Institute of Architectural Sustainable Environment and Building Systems
Manuscript Submission
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • KISTI Current Status
  • KISTI Cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
  • open access
  • ccl
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close