Is Solar Energy sustainable and environment-friendly?

Is Solar Energy sustainable and environment-friendly?

Solar is a fast-growing energy source vital to reducing fossil fuel use and emissions. The total installed capacity of solar systems worldwide grew by 25% by the end of 2022, hitting 1,177 GW from 938 GW in 2021. A solar panel with a lifespan of 25 years or more reaches the end of its life and becomes a waste stream. This waste of solar panels contains hazardous materials that are harmful to the environment and living beings. Although we know that energy does not involve emissions, Is it sustainable in the long run? Let us dive deeper to understand the consequences of using solar panels. ?


Background

Solar panels provide clean, renewable energy from the sun, and their prevalence as an energy source has been growing. In 2020, solar panels provided about 40 percent of new U.S. electric generation capacity, compared to just four percent in 2010. In the last ten years, the U.S. added more than 121 GW of utility- and small-scale solar capacity. This means that there was almost eight times as much solar capacity in 2023 than in 2014. There were 40% more solar setups in 2023 than there were in 2022. This meant that almost 17 million more homes in Europe were powered by solar. Compared to 2022, when 40 GW of solar was put in, 55.9 GW of solar was added across the EU27 in 2023. India currently stands 4th globally in solar power capacity. In the last five years, the country’s solar installed capacity has experienced a monumental transformation, increasing from 21,651 MW to 70,096 MW in 2023. ?Recently, Govt of India announced the provision of free solar panels to 10 million households in India under the PM Suryoday Yojana (click here to know more).


Solar panels generate electricity during operation without emitting harmful substances into the air. Nevertheless, similar to any other energy source, some waste materials require appropriate recycling or disposal once solar panels reach the end of their lifespan. With the increasing expansion of the solar photovoltaic (PV) market, there will also be a rise in the number of end-of-life panels. It is projected that by 2030, the United States will accumulate approximately one million total tons of solar panel waste. In 2018, the total generation of municipal solid waste (MSW) in the United States was 292.4 million tons, just for comparison. By 2050, the United States is projected to possess the second-highest quantity of end-of-life panels globally, amounting to an estimated 10 million total tons of panels.

Types of Solar Panels

There are two widely used types of solar panels: crystalline-silicon and thin film solar panels. Crystalline-silicon solar PV is the dominant technology in the solar panel market, accounting for more than 95 percent of sales, use solar cells made from a crystal silicon structure. Crystalline-silicon solar panels are highly efficient, cost-effective, and boast impressive lifespans, with modules designed to endure for 25 years or more. Thin-film solar cells consist of thin layers of semiconductor material, such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS), applied onto a supporting material like glass, plastic, or metal.


Are Solar Panels Hazardous Waste?

Testing conducted on solar panels in the marketplace has revealed the presence of various metals in the semiconductor and solder of different panel varieties. Certain metals, such as lead and cadmium, can pose risks to both human health and the environment when present in high concentrations. If these metals are found in significant amounts in the solar panels, the disposal of solar panel waste may pose a potential hazard. There is a distinction between certain solar panels when it comes to their classification as hazardous waste. It is worth noting that this differentiation can exist even among panels of the same model and manufacturer.


Universal Waste Solar Panel and Lithium Battery Proposal?

In an effort to enhance the recycling and management of end-of-life solar panels and lithium batteries, the EPA recently announced a new rulemaking initiative on October 23, 2023. The EPA is currently working on a proposed rule that would include solar panels in the universal waste regulations and establish specific universal waste standards for lithium batteries. The EPA is currently engaged in this rulemaking process due to a petition put forth by a diverse group of industry associations advocating for the regulation of solar panels as universal waste. The EPA is actively making changes to the universal waste regulations to enhance safety standards and minimize the risk of fires caused by mishandled lithium batteries at the end of their life cycle.


Do you think there should be strict rules and regulations for solar waste? Please write your opinion in the comments.


P.S. Don't forget to share this article with your friends and family who might be interested. Sharing is caring (and saving)!

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Disclaimer: This information is only for learning purposes and should not be considered financial advice. Please consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.????

Image source: Statista , SolarPower Europe

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Rubal Mahajan

Legal Consultant. I help startups expand globally by extending the right legal know how , contract drafting and conflict resolution| Researcher & Writer

6 个月

“Solar energy is our beacon toward a greener future. As we combat climate change, harnessing the sun’s power is crucial. Solar panels provide inexhaustible energy, but we must tread carefully balancing progress with environmental stewardship. Let’s embrace renewables and illuminate our planet responsibly! ????”

Apoorva Pandey

Doctoral Student at IIM Kashipur

6 个月

Thoughtful Sourav Prasad?

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