Are Solar Panels Environmentally Friendly To Make

To create a solar panel caustic materials will emit greenhouse gases.

Are solar panels environmentally friendly to make.

As clean energy spreads more of the energy used for solar panel production will itself be generated from renewable sources reducing the lifecycle emissions of solar panels even more. But with solar growing in popularity thanks to falling prices and various tax incentives we could see a wave of e waste in the next 20 some odd years if the industry doesn t take action now. However some toxic materials and chemicals are used to make the photovoltaic pv cells that convert sunlight into electricity. Although solar energy is a clean alternative to fossil fuels making the panels themselves can have a negative environmental impact.

As an environmentally conscious consumer you can make a positive impact by requesting information from installers concerning the manufacturers of their products. In one 2003 study researchers drew attention to the fact that cadmium is the benefactor of special environmental treatment which allows solar energy to be more economically efficient as far as that word quite applies to solar energy even in the current state of subsidization. While solar panels are considered a form of clean renewable energy the manufacturing process does produce greenhouse gas emissions. It s projected that solar panel waste could reach 78 million metric tons by 2050 without a way to recycle that waste it means.

Using solar energy can have a positive indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have larger effects on the environment. Disposal or recycling of solar panels in themselves expensive and resource intensive to produce is a problem we have not yet come to terms with and it s important for something billed as environmentally friendly. Environmental scientists and solar industry leaders are raising the red flag about used solar panels which contain toxic heavy metals and are considered hazardous waste. Workers install solar panels in california.

By scott cramer although the use of solar panels is green many solar panel manufacturing processes are not. The silicon valley toxics coalition svtc which works to promote eco friendly practices in the high tech industry warned in a 2009 report that little attention is currently being paid to the potential. With recycling expensive.