Abstract:This study aims to investigate the carbon emission characteristics of wind power and photovoltaic (PV) power by comparing their carbon footprints over their entire life cycles, thereby providing a scientific basis for carbon emission control in the field of renewable energy. Using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method, the study systematically analysed the carbon footprints of wind power and PV power in four stages: equipment manufacturing and installation, transportation, operation, dismantling and recycling. Actual projects from wind farms and PV power stations in Zhejiang Province were used as case studies. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the impact of power station siting on carbon emissions results. The total life cycle carbon emissions for wind farms were 23.62 gCO2/kWh, significantly lower than the 41.91 gCO2/kWh for PV power stations. Considering the carbon emission reduction benefits during the recycling stage, the carbon emissions during the equipment manufacturing and installation stage accounted for over 100% of the total life cycle emissions for both power sources. From a siting perspective, the carbon footprint of wind power showed more advantages over PV power in the mountainous regions of the south, whereas its advantages were less pronounced in the northwest and northeast regions. Nationwide, the carbon footprint of wind power is lower than that of PV power, but significant differences exist across different provinces. The equipment manufacturing and installation stage is the primary source of carbon emissions and should be the focus of optimization. The study compared the carbon emissions of the two power generation methods across different provinces and provided reference for optimizing renewable energy configurations to control carbon emissions.