EnvironmentUp to date · Jan 15, 2026
Embodied Carbon
The total greenhouse gas emissions generated during the manufacturing, transportation, installation, and end-of-life processing of a product — before it's ever turned on.
Why It Matters
A solar panel's embodied carbon is "paid back" in 1-3 years of operation through displaced grid emissions. Over its 25+ year life, a panel avoids 10-20× more carbon than it took to manufacture.