4 ms·
There 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 stra
by jhayward 8y ago
There 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.