Renewable Energy: Manufacturing Footprint vs Avoided Emissions
Clean energy companies must report manufacturing emissions (solar panel production: 40-80 kgCO2/panel) while calculating avoided emissions from displacing fossil generation. NetNada tracks lifecycle emissions, validates avoided emission claims, and generates SASB-aligned clean tech disclosures.
Common Emission Challenges in Renewable Resources & Alternative Energy
Renewable energy entities must account for energy-intensive manufacturing, raw material supply chains, project construction emissions, and lifecycle avoided emissions from clean energy generation.
Manufacturing Emissions (Scope 1 & 2)
Solar panel manufacturing requires high-temperature processes (1,400°C for polysilicon). Wind turbine production uses steel, fiberglass, rare earth magnets. Battery manufacturing is energy-intensive (60-80 kWh electricity per kWh battery capacity).
Raw Material Supply Chain (Scope 3)
Lithium, cobalt, rare earths for batteries and magnets have high extraction emissions. Solar-grade polysilicon often produced in coal-heavy grids (China: 0.7 tCO2/MWh). Forestry supplies wood pellets for bioenergy with land use change risk.
Avoided Emissions Calculation
Renewable projects calculate avoided emissions vs grid baseline. Solar farm displacing coal grid (0.9 tCO2/MWh) avoids more emissions than displacing gas grid (0.4 tCO2/MWh). Must use marginal vs average grid factors and avoid double-counting with customer Scope 2.
Biofuels Lifecycle Emissions
Ethanol from corn requires accounting for fertilizer (N2O emissions), land use change, fermentation, and transport. Biodiesel from palm oil must include deforestation risk. CORSIA and LCFS require lifecycle carbon intensity <baseline fossil fuel.
Clean Energy Tax Credits Require Carbon Accounting Verification
US IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) provides tax credits for solar, wind, batteries based on domestic content and prevailing wage requirements. EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) taxes imported solar panels and batteries based on manufacturing emissions. Renewable energy certificates (RECs) and carbon credits require third-party verification of avoided emissions.
Renewable Resources & Alternative Energy Industries
Select your industry for tailored carbon accounting solutions and SASB-aligned reporting guidance.
Biofuels
Production of ethanol, biodiesel, and renewable diesel from organic feedstocks for transportation fuel.
Learn moreForestry Management
Ownership and management of natural and planted forestry lands for timber and carbon sequestration.
Learn moreFuel Cells & Industrial Batteries
Manufacturing of fuel cells and energy storage batteries for grid, commercial, and vehicle applications.
Learn morePulp & Paper Products
Manufacturing of wood pulp, paper packaging, office paper, newsprint, and industrial paper products.
Learn moreSolar Technology & Project Developers
Manufacturing solar PV modules and inverters, plus development and operation of solar energy projects.
Learn moreWind Technology & Project Developers
Manufacturing wind turbines and components, plus development and operation of onshore and offshore wind farms.
Learn moreTrack Manufacturing Emissions and Avoided Carbon for Clean Energy
See how renewable energy companies measure panel and turbine manufacturing footprints, calculate avoided emissions, and verify claims—for tax credits and investor disclosures.