Are solar panels actually eco-friendly? Their environmental effects have doubtless been widely debated and documented, as playing at online casinos like Vulkan Bet. However, what arguments about them are factual and what’s nothing more than baseless claims? The major downsides of solar panels is that they need more fossil-burning equipment and energy to mine, produce, and move than they save. Moreover, another point is that its manufacturing process uses chemicals that cause more harm than good.
On the other hand, there’s a strong argument out there that solar panels produce cleaner energy than the energy they use in production. Moreover, major companies actually use more chemicals in their manufacturing processes than solar panels. Having said that, we’ll primarily discuss the negative effects their production and disposal can have on the environment below.
How Solar Panel Production Affects the Environment
The effects of solar panel production start in the manufacturing phase. Solar panels are mainly made of metals, silicon, and other materials requiring energy-intensive extraction and manufacturing processes. The main areas of concern include:
- Silicon mining and processing:
- Energy-intensive. The most widely used raw material in solar panel production is crystalline silicon. It requires very high temperatures during purification and processing. Also called the Czochralski process, this phase uses so much energy and typically relies on fossil fuels. This means solar panel production involves carbon dioxide emissions.
- Impact of mining. Mining silica, which is the raw material used to produce silicon, can result in water and air pollution and the destruction of habitats. Open-pit mining is widely used, which upsets ecosystems and emits particulate matter that may affect the respiratory health of people nearby.
- Use of toxic, rare materials:
- Toxins and materials. Solar panels have small amounts of hazardous elements such as selenium, lead, and cadmium. These metals are vital for the working of PV cells. However, they can pose health and environmental risks if not properly handled. For example, cadmium telluride solar cells (CdTe) are cost-effective and efficient but pose challenges thanks to the toxicity of cadmium.
- Scarcity of resources. Certain solar panel components, such as indium and silver, are rare metals. These resources are strained by the rising demand for solar panels, potentially causing a shortage of supply and environmental concerns due to intensified mining efforts.
- Use of chemicals:
- Toxic chemicals. The solar panel manufacturing process involves chemicals such as sulfur hexafluoride, a powerful greenhouse gas, in addition to acids, cleaning agents, and solvents. If not managed properly, these chemicals may contribute to water and air pollution.
- Risk of water pollution. Solar panel production plants need a substantial supply of water, and wastewater containing chemicals poses the risk of pollution in local water systems. If not adequately treated, wastewater can seep into the ground and contaminate natural water sources, affecting human health and aquatic life.
- The carbon footprint of solar panel manufacturing and transportation:
- High-energy use. The total energy used during solar panel production (embodied energy) is a key contributor to the carbon footprint of solar panels. Embodied energy varies based on the sources of energy manufacturing plants use, especially fossil fuels.
- Emissions from transportation. Solar panels are normally made in centralized manufacturing plants and then moved to installation locations all over the world. Shipping and transportation contribute to the emission of greenhouse gasses, especially when the panels are made in countries with significant carbon emissions and shipped overseas.
How Solar Panel Disposal Impacts the Environment
Why solar panels typically last for around 25-30 years, it’s essential to take into account what happens at the end of a panel’s lifespan. Disposal, in other words, the lack of sufficient recycling options, poses serious challenges to the environment. Let’s check them below:
- Landfill accumulation:
- Hazardous materials in landfills. Improper disposal of solar panels can cause toxic materials like lead and cadmium to seep into soil and underground water sources, posing health hazards to ecosystems and nearby communities.
- Space needs. Solar panels occupy plenty of space, and substantial space is needed if disposed of in landfills. At the current rate, it won’t be long before landfills struggle to accommodate disposed panels.
- Recycling challenges:
- Complex makeup. Solar panels are composed of several layers of metal, silicon cells, glass, and other materials. It requires a lot of money and labor to separate these materials, and today’s recycling technology can’t adequately recycle precious materials.
- Limited recycling plants. Today, there aren’t many specialized facilities that can recycle solar panels, and recycling is a relatively new concept. As such, used solar panels aren’t recycled in most countries, and regions are often dumped in landfills.
- Cost of recycling vs. market value. The cost of solar panel recycling is currently higher than the value of the recycled materials. Therefore, recycling isn’t an economically viable option for many recycling companies, further diminishing disposal options.
Solar panels are a crucial stepping stone toward a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy future. While their manufacturing and disposal affect the environment, the significant benefits of generating clean energy outweigh that. Continued advances in production efficiency, recycling technology, and installation practices will further amplify the positive impact solar panels have on the environment. As we endeavor to meet energy demands worldwide while protecting planet Earth, solar energy remains an important and promising solution.