Abstract

The environmental performance of residential rooftop photovoltaic electricity systems is becoming increasingly important for urban energy transition strategies. This study assesses whether rooftop photovoltaic electricity generation can reduce environmental impacts relative to conventional electricity supply in Zagreb, Croatia. It is hypothesised that rooftop photovoltaic electricity systems have lower climate-related and resource-related impacts than the national electricity grid mix. A screening cradle-to-use life-cycle assessment was performed using site-specific electricity-generation data and impact categories defined by a European construction-product standard, with all impacts expressed per 1 kWh of electricity delivered. The results show a 65.89 per cent lower climate change impact and a 94 per cent lower fossil resource consumption than the modelled Croatian electricity grid mix. Overall, the findings suggest that rooftop photovoltaic systems in Zagreb can reduce climate and resource-related impacts under the assumed screening model.