How Clean is Solar Energy?

How Clean is Solar Energy?

Many of us hold out hope for solar power to be a renewable energy resource to save us from polluting coal and other fossil fuels in the future.  Yet, some lingering questions remain:  how clean is solar energy?

Solar PV panels look sleek and futuristic.  But are they truly as green and eco-friendly as they purport to be?

Many skeptics point out that solar modules are comprised of a number of toxic chemicals: arsenic, cadmium telluride, hexafluoroethane, lead, and polyvinyl fluoride, to name a few.

Should you be concerned?  Is it time to give up on solar and settle for cheap, coal?

I’d say the answer is a resounding “NO!”

In truth, toxic solar panels may be more hype than reality.  During the manufacturing process, solar modules are encased in glass, which prevent leeching of chemicals and other toxins.  However, as the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition pointed out in a 2009 report, issues arise during the beginning and at the end of a solar panel’s life-span.  When solar panels are manufactured, some employees can be put at risk; at the end of their life, disposal raises new questions.

How green are solar panels?

In short, even though the solar industry faces some potential criticism for using toxic materials in manufacturing, solar companies are considerably more “green” than the electronics industry was when it first took hold in the 1970s and 80s.

Does that mean that they are walking the eco-friendly talk?

Perhaps.  Particularly when companies in the solar PV industry adopt and implement sustainable policies like the recycling programs of First Solar, and the use of organic materials by Heliatek.  Add into the mix corporations like BioSolar, which substitutes environmentally friendly materials (bioplastic) for toxic ingredients.

Observed the CEO of BioSolar, David Lee:

“The solar industry will have some of the same problems the electronics industry had unless we plan now.  The solar industry involves a lot of toxic chemicals and we have to look at the lifecycle of these materials, from mining to manufacturing.”

In fact, bioplastics are significantly changing the solar industry.  Not only are they biodegradable, but they can also withstand high temperatures associated with PV panel operation, while staying dry and water-tight.  Bioplastics are used for solar panel backsheets and eventually also to replace chemical-based substrates that form solar cells.

While “greening” the environment, these cleaner solar panels can also help a solar manufacturer’s bottom line.  Bioplastic solar cell components will eventually be produced for 1/2 the cost of toxic chemical-based solarp panels.

An all-around green solar panel?  Clean solar energy just became brilliant!

Tags: bioplastic solar cell, bioplastics solar, biosolar, clean solar energy, silicon valley toxics, solar industry, solar modules, solar PV industry, solar pv panels, toxic solar panels