ABSTRACT
The use of different materials for the same energy system component affects both the system efficiency and the amount of CO2 released during production and utilization. In most cases however, the environmental impact is influenced mainly by system utilization and to a lesser extent by the materials used for system production. The main objective of this paper is the implementation of Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) as a way to reduce the CO2 released from a product during its life cycle. Domestic Solar Hot Water Systems (DSHWS) employing different materials for the solar collector will be used as an example.
