Black Silicon Increases Solar Panel Efficiency
SolarWorld: Manufacturing Solar From Raw Material to Final PV Panel
Solar Panel Manufacturers explore new methods for higher efficiency
New York City E-Waste Law being replaced by strong New York State statute
Innovalight Silicon Inks Boost Solar Cell Efficiency to Record-Breaking 19%
Solar Panels to be Produced Below 70 Cents a Watt
Electronic Waste Major Problem in Developing World
Recyclable Bloom Laptop Provides New Approach to Reducing E-Waste
Abound Solar Secures $510 Million Funding to Commercialize Solar Panels
Solar Panels that are Just Over a Dollar now available
GE to Produce Thin-Film Solar Panels
MiaSole Thin-Film Solar Panel Review - Amazing 15.7% Efficiency
New Low Cost High Performing Solar Panel Technology; 98% Plastic & Catches 96% Incident Li
Global Solar Stick-On Solar Panels offer More Bang for the Buck
SunPower Solar Panels Achieve over 19% Efficiency
Solar Industry to Face Solar Waste Recycling Issues
As solar panels gain widespread acceptance, the issue of solar waste recycling is emerging as an environmental concern. Cleantech companies are developing methods of recycling and reusing potentially toxic components of solar waste, especially when solar panels and other solar components are removed at the end of their life cycle.
Like e-waste, solar modules contain some potentially hazardous solar waste materials that will cause environmental pollution. These include cadmium, silicon tetrachloride, selenium and sulfur hexafluoride, a powerful greenhouse gas. As solar applications become more widespread, various groups are looking at the consequences of solar waste disposal in order to avoid the issues caused by electronic waste. The industry is beginning to step up efforts to avoid negative consequences from solar waste and to research effective recycling methods.
Since the life span of solar panels is approximately 20 years, society has not yet faced solar waste disposal and recycling problems, but experts realize that this is the time to plan ahead to implement effective environmental programs. One non-profit group exploring the solar waste recycling area is the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC)], a leader in addressing e-waste problems in the Bay Area. Now SVTC is focusing on the solar boom, and keeps a “Solar Scorecard” on manufacturers that evaluates recycling, end of product life responsibility, also known as “takeback,” supply chain issues, chemical use, and other issues.
Whether firms in the solar industry decide to do their own recycling of solar waste or to outsource the job to third-party recycling companies, the issues around responsibility for and prevention of solar waste will impact both the sustainability of the solar industry and the sustainability of the earth’s environment.
Recommended for Further Reading:
- Black Silicon Increases Solar Panel Efficiency
- SolarWorld: Manufacturing Solar From Raw Material to Final PV Panel
- Solar Panel Manufacturers explore new methods for higher efficiency
- New York City E-Waste Law being replaced by strong New York State statute
- Innovalight Silicon Inks Boost Solar Cell Efficiency to Record-Breaking 19%
- Solar Panels to be Produced Below 70 Cents a Watt
- Electronic Waste Major Problem in Developing World
- Recyclable Bloom Laptop Provides New Approach to Reducing E-Waste
- Abound Solar Secures $510 Million Funding to Commercialize Solar Panels
- Solar Panels that are Just Over a Dollar now available
- GE to Produce Thin-Film Solar Panels
- MiaSole Thin-Film Solar Panel Review - Amazing 15.7% Efficiency
- New Low Cost High Performing Solar Panel Technology; 98% Plastic & Catches 96% Incident Li
- Global Solar Stick-On Solar Panels offer More Bang for the Buck
- SunPower Solar Panels Achieve over 19% Efficiency
Solar Industry to Face Solar Waste Recycling Issues http://t.co/9M8rlTlv #eco #cleantech #greenbuilding #renewableenergy
Solar Industry to Face Solar Waste Recycling Issues http://bit.ly/aAOVxT #eco #cleantech #greenbuilding #renewableenergy
RT @buildaroo Solar Industry needs 2 come up with solution 2 #solar waste http://bit.ly/aAOVxT #renewableenergy #c... http://bit.ly/bjtiod
Solar Waste Recycling Issues http://bit.ly/cAuGYH
RT @buildaroo: Solar Industry to soon face #solar waste #recycling issues http://bit.ly/aAOVxT #renewableenergy #cleantech #greentech #e ...
Solar Industry to Face Solar Waste Recycling Issues:
As solar panels gain widespread acceptance, the issue of sol... http://bit.ly/d5y9TW