Midsummer’s solar panels almost ten times more environmentally friendly than a typical silicon solar panel

A new life cycle assessment (LCA) shows that the carbon footprint from solar panels made by Swedish solar energy technology leader Midsummer is almost 90% smaller than from silicon based solar panels made in China. This confirms Midsummer solar panels’ position among the most environmentally friendly energy types all categories due to its advanced technology and local production.

Compared to silicon based solar panels made in China Midsummer's solar panels made in Sweden generate nearly 90 per cent less CO₂ emissions.

 

”For a conscious consumer of renewable energy, whether private or commercial, it is instrumental to look at the entire life cycle, i.e. the total climate effect of the product including material choice, manufacturing, transports, operations etc,” said Sven Lindström, CEO, Midsummer. ”And of course to choose an energy source with minimal carbon footprint. Here Midsummer’s thin film solar panels are completely superior, thanks to our unique technology.”

A new study shows that Midsummer’s solar panels, made in Sweden, generate nearly 90 per cent less CO₂ emissions than silicon based solar panels made in China, and only one per cent of the greenhouse gases that European coal power emits.

There are multiple reasons for this. Midsummer’s flexible CIGS solar panels do not contain any heavy glass or aluminum components. This greatly reduces material consumption. The light absorbing CIGS layer is also extremely thin. Therefore, the production process is fast and with a low energy consumption. At its Swedish factory, Midsummer only uses renewable energy.

Midsummer’s technology allows for production of the electricity right where it is consumed, which is an important ‘green’ aspect. Midsummer’s solar roofs are nearly invisible and are installed on tin roofs, shingles and large factory roofs (they can also completely replace shingles or tin). The electricity is produced directly on top of the building where it is consumed.

For Swedish installations, production is local. Midsummer manufactures its solar panels in its own facilities in Järfälla just outside Stockholm. The company is looking at establishing additional factories across Europe which would mean shorter transports and a higher ratio of renewable energy for production than the silicon panels made in China, often with coal based electricity. Local production also means local employment and tax revenues etc.

The LCA report (Life Cycle Assessment, LCA, of Midsummer’s Lightweight CIGS Solar Panels) was carried out by environment consulting company Miljögiraff AB at Midsummer’s request. The study follows ISO14041 standard and has been verified by a third party. The objective was to calculate the combined carbon footprint from 1kWh of electricity generated by Midsummer’s thin and discrete solar panels using CIGS solar cells from a life cycle perspective.

For additional information, please contact:

Helena Engelbrecht
Head of Communications, Midsummer
E-mail: helena.engelbrecht@midsummer.se
Telefon: +46 73 532 25 29

About Midsummer
Midsummer is a leading developer and supplier of advanced solar energy technology solutions for the production and installation of thin film solar panels. Its business offering includes equipment for cost-effective manufacturing of thin film solar cells as well as building-integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) solutions. Midsummer’s production process for thin film solar cells has a minimal carbon footprint compared to other production processes for solar modules. Midsummer’s DUO system has taken the position as the most widespread manufacturing tool for flexible CIGS solar cells in the world.

Midsummer develops and markets solar panels directly to end customers from its own production and via contract manufacturers. The Midsummer Solar Roofs product range Midsummer SLIM, Midsummer WAVE and Midsummer BOLD offers customers light, thin and flexible solar panels that result in attractive solar roofs.

Midsummer’s technology is based on a rapid process for the production of durable, flexible CIGS solar cells using sputtering of all layers of the solar cell in a sealed vacuum chain. The Company’s share (MIDS) is traded on Nasdaq First North Premier Growth Market with G & W Fondkommission as Certified Adviser, phone: +46 (0)8-503 000 50, email: ca@gwkapital.se. For more information, please visit: midsummer.se