Globally, as of 2017, around ** metric tons of glass, ** metric tons of steel and ** metric tons of aluminum were required to manufacture a one-megawatt solar photovoltaics plant. Other materials were needed in smaller proportions, such as silicon, copper, and plastic.
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IRENA. (November 12, 2019). Volume of materials required to manufacture a solar photovoltaics plant worldwide as of 2017 (in metric tons)* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118670/materials-used-manufacture-solar-pv-plant-globally/
IRENA. "Volume of materials required to manufacture a solar photovoltaics plant worldwide as of 2017 (in metric tons)*." Chart. November 12, 2019. Statista. Accessed July 15, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118670/materials-used-manufacture-solar-pv-plant-globally/
IRENA. (2019). Volume of materials required to manufacture a solar photovoltaics plant worldwide as of 2017 (in metric tons)*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 15, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118670/materials-used-manufacture-solar-pv-plant-globally/
IRENA. "Volume of Materials Required to Manufacture a Solar Photovoltaics Plant Worldwide as of 2017 (in Metric Tons)*." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Nov 2019, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118670/materials-used-manufacture-solar-pv-plant-globally/
IRENA, Volume of materials required to manufacture a solar photovoltaics plant worldwide as of 2017 (in metric tons)* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118670/materials-used-manufacture-solar-pv-plant-globally/ (last visited July 15, 2025)
Volume of materials required to manufacture a solar photovoltaics plant worldwide as of 2017 (in metric tons)* [Graph], IRENA, November 12, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118670/materials-used-manufacture-solar-pv-plant-globally/
