Fan, Jiawei, authorStrong, Kelly, advisorGlick, Scott, committee memberPaustian, Keith, committee member2007-01-032007-01-032014http://hdl.handle.net/10217/88521In the U.S., the capacity of photovoltaic panels has already reached a level close to 14GW in 2014. The goal of the solar power industry is to meet 10% of U.S. peak electricity generation capacity by 2030 (Dincer, 2011). Photovoltaic panel systems have become a new trend to produce electric power. Solar radiation is an abundant, inexhaustible, clean and cheap energy source. By using solar energy, solar panels are considered a clean and green method to produce electric power. However, photovoltaic panels have impacts on the environment in the production process and end-of-life process. This thesis uses a methodology that combines life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost (LCC) to analyze the life cycle impact and the cost of a PV system on a public garage located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The LCA method used in this thesis is a hybrid LCA, which is a combination of process based LCA and economic Input/Output LCA (EIO-LCA). The result of the analysis of LCA indicates that a solar panel power system does have some advantages in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and gaseous toxic releases. However, solar panel systems have higher toxic releases to water and land than a traditional power plant. The result of LCC points out that the solar panel system on the roof of Lake Street Parking Garage cannot recover its cost during its 25-year life span.born digitalmasters thesesengCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.EIO-LCAphotovoltaic panellife cycle costlife cycle assessmentText