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In the coming four-decade, China will face serious challenge while shifting to carbon neutral. Photovoltaic (PV) power, as one of the most promising clean energies, is seen as an important focus for decarbonization of the power sector in China. The novelty of this study is to use life cycle assessment (LCA) methods to analyze the CO 2 emission reduction of the PV generation industry before 2060 base on the amount of energy and resources consumed and PV generation's CO 2 reduction benefits during the whole industrial chain. This paper aims to examine CO 2 emission reduction contribution, we firstly compute the historical emissions and predict future PV waste and new power capacity from 2010 to 2060. Then, considering the change of industrial structure and technological evolution, the yearly life cycle CO 2 emission from producing stage to recycling stage is calculated. The key results show that the unit CO 2 emission of PV system producing will reduce 88.07% from 2010 to 2060. PV generation industry's total CO 2 emission has reached its neutrality between 2014 and 2015, and will reduce 33.03 Giga tons CO 2 -eq till 2060. The findings can offer relevant insights to low-carbon development of China's PV industry and will provide suggestions for policy-making. [Display omitted] • In the context of Carbon Neutrality target of China. • Explores the CO 2 emission reduction effect of photovoltaic industry in China. • Takes energy structure, technology and products structure into consideration. • Photovoltaic industry will help to reduce 33.03 Bt CO 2 till 2060. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]