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Toxic crap in solar? For silicon panels, which are the vast majority of the market, what specifically is toxic in the panel itself? I can only think of lead in
by Brakenshire 8y ago
Toxic crap in solar? For silicon panels, which are the vast majority of the market, what specifically is toxic in the panel itself?
I can only think of lead in solder, which is the same issue for all electronic devices.
There are toxic chemicals used in the processes for making the panel, which need proper environmental regulation, but that doesn’t mean the panel itself contains toxic materials.
- jhayward 8y agoThere is one major manufacturer (First Solar) that makes CIGS [edit: should read 'CdTe'] thin-film panels which do have Cd, etc and need a waste management strategy. I believe First Solar guarantees waste recovery for their panels [1]. But you are correct, the vast majority of panels are silicon-based and have no significant environmental disposal issues. Leaded solder use is already quite low and is targeted for zero content in the near future. [1] http://www.firstsolar.com/-/media/First-Solar/Sustainability-Documents/Recycling/First-Solar-Recycling-Datasheet.ashx http://www.firstsolar.com/-/media/First-Solar/Sustainability...
- Brakenshire 8y agoI agree with your post in general, but as far as I know First Solar make CdTe panels, not CIGS.
- jhayward 8y agoRight, thanks for the correction.
- imtringued 8y agoIf you only look at toxic solar waste you will only see CIGS panels. If you look at what is actually used you will see that CIGS is just a tiny minority of installed capacity.
- prolepunk 8y agoOther than electronic components (where the rules for electronic recycling apply) photovoltaic cells are basically sand. Also I would assume that the electronics in panels are RoHS compliant, which means no lead there.