The Impact Of Making Solar Panels

It also means less exacerbated greenhouse effect slowing the effects of climate change.

The impact of making solar panels.

Approximately 90 of most pv modules are made up of glass. Photovoltaic pv solar cells or concentrating solar thermal plants csp. Fabricating the panels requires caustic chemicals such as sodium hydroxide and hydrofluoric acid and the process uses water as well as electricity the production of which emits greenhouse gases. 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.

Although materials do vary between different types and brands of solar panels most contain toxic materials somewhere in their design. Materials including lead and cadmium are examples of such materials found in manufacturing processes. More solar means a reduction of toxins in the air causing health problems from asthma to headaches to cancer. Solar power doesn t pollute the air.

Most people overlook the impact that the materials they are made from can have on the environment. Solar energy systems power plants do not produce air pollution water pollution or greenhouse gases. However solar panels aren t zero emissions resources for their entire lifetime as they have to be manufactured in a factory first as well as recycled at the end of their useful life.