“On average 2,56 KWh disguised as fossil fuels are burnt to produce an electric Kilowatt hour and consequently about 0,53 Kg of carbon dioxide are emitted in the air (factor of emission of the Italian electrical mix – average emissions of the Italian power stations). Therefore, each kWh produced by the photovoltaic system avoids the emission of 0,53 kg of carbon dioxide. This calculation is also valid for all types of polluting substances. To quantify the advantage of this substitution for the environment let’s refer to a practical example. Let’s consider some photovoltaic systems installed on the roofs of houses located in Rome, Milan and Trapani with a peak power of 1 KWp (South oriented with 30° inclination). The emission of carbon dioxide avoided during one year is calculated multiplying the value of the electrical energy produced by the systems by the emission factor of the electrical mix. To calculate the emission avoided during the life time of the plant it is sufficient to multiply the yearly emissions avoided by the 30 years of estimated life of the plants.”

The following chart shows the calculation example:
Emissions avoided through 1 kWp of photovoltaic modules during the life time of the plants

City	Electrical energy produced during one year	X Factor of the Italian electrical mix	=Emission avoided during 1 year	X Life time of the plant	= Emission avoided in the life time
Milan	1167.4kWhel/kWp	0,531kg CO2/kWhel	729kg CO2	30 years	18590kg CO2
Rome	1477.4kWhel/kWp	0,531kg CO2/kWhel	922kg CO2	30 years	23529kg CO2
Trapani	1669.7kWhel/kWp	0,531kg CO2/kWhel	1043kg CO2	30 years	26587kg CO2

Using these parameters ENERECO srl wanted to stress its own contribution to the protection of the environment calculating the amount of CO2 emissions avoided through its own activity in the renewable energies sector.
In the calculation of the tons of CO2 avoided we consider the kWp of those generators supplied or installed by ENERECO srl in the various types :

- photovoltaic
- solar thermal
- wind
- hydroelectric
- biomass

and their average production once installed.