Solar Might not Always be a Green Source of Energy

Ecuador is undergoing through important changes in its electrical generation system. According to the Ecuadorian Government, by 2017 the country will leap from 53% to 86% hydro-electrical power generation by incorporating new plants, becoming a country almost carbon neutral. This also changes how we look at other electricity generating systems that can be called renewable or green. This paper discusses whether solar energy sources, such as PVs, can be eligible or not, depending on its potential to create important environmental liabilities, or by using life cycle analysis data of the system to establish when it becomes beneficial. Based on the fact that a green energy source is replaced by another green energy source, two carbon emission scenarios will be analyzed (actual energy mix scenario and 2020 energy mix scenario) to determine if the country can call solar energy beneficial.