Tracking carbon offset for solar energy generation

//Tracking carbon offset for solar energy generation

Tracking carbon offset for solar energy generation

When electricity is being generated from solar panels, this directly reduces the energy that would otherwise have been imported from the grid which is predominantly generated from burning fossil fuels.  Every kWh generated from solar photovoltaic therefore has an equivalent CO2 value which reduces total carbon emissions.

The CO2 Conversion Factor

Tracking the CO2 equivalent is achieved using a conversion factor:

Energy generated from solar (kWh) x CO2 conversion factor  = CO2 equivalent value

The conversion factor changes from year to year as the UK’s power generation landscape changes.  For electricity the conversion factor is 0.46219 kg CO2 per kWh unit.  This figure is needed for Carbon Reduction Commitment reporting obligations in addition to other factors used to calculate an organisations overall carbon footprint.

How much CO2 has been saved for any particular day, month, or year of solar energy generation?

This would normally be a lot of work using excel spreadsheets to collate energy totals for varying periods and multiplying by the conversion factor.  However using the Openmetrics® web portal which collects accurate meter readings from smart electricity generation meters, this calculation is already done for you.  Simply look for the CO2 value on the Meter Information page which takes the total kWh total for the period and multiplies by the conversion factor.  Openmetrics is updated annually with the new conversion factor from DECC.

Where to find the equivalent CO2 value on the Openmetrics web portal

Openmetrics Meter Information Page Showing CO2 Equivalent Value

Openmetrics Meter Information Page Showing CO2 Equivalent Value

By |2016-06-20T09:52:37+00:00May 25th, 2016|Uncategorized|