| There is a multitude of myths and misinformation | | | | making PV technology the winner by a country mile. |
| surrounding solar and renewable energy, one of which | | | | Traditionally Toxic |
| is that the manufacturing of PV panels is hazardous to | | | | The various traditional energy sources produce various |
| the environment. But, is it? | | | | types and degrees of toxic waste. Power plants burn |
| Toxicity Under Control | | | | coal and other fossil fuels which pollute the air |
| In recent years, there has been much media uproar | | | | extensively and, as long as the plant is running, the |
| concerning the supposition that solar panel | | | | pollution continues. Efforts have been made over the |
| manufacturing is extremely toxic for the environment. | | | | years to reduce pollution from fossil fuels, but it's still a |
| The fact is that chemicals are used in the manufacture | | | | major concern. Pollutants produced by the burning of |
| of PV panels, some of which have been labeled as | | | | coal include carbon dioxide (a major contributor to |
| toxic by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, | | | | global warming), sulfur dioxide (causes acid rain), |
| which dictates that the safety of employees handling | | | | particulates (damage the lungs), various metals, such |
| such chemicals is of paramount importance and also | | | | as mercury, arsenic and lead (may cause brain |
| that the disposal of chemicals used must be done in a | | | | damage and birth defects), and nitrogen oxide (causes |
| manner that is not detrimental to the environment. | | | | smog). |
| These claims have been investigated by such federally | | | | Nuclear power plants produce waste, which, despite |
| funded organizations as the National Renewable | | | | the investment of billions of dollars of taxpayer money |
| Energy Laboratory, which has determined that PV | | | | into solutions for its safe and effective disposal, still |
| manufacturers have mitigated the environmental risks | | | | cannot be disposed of satisfactorily. |
| through the implementation of rigorous monitoring and | | | | Solar Electricity = No Toxics |
| carefully designed manufacturing processes, resulting in | | | | PV panels, in comparison, do not use any fossil or |
| the risks being substantially less than in most other | | | | other fuel sources and result in no emissions, toxic or |
| major manufacturing industries. Also, many PV | | | | otherwise. They produce clean, environmentally friendly |
| manufacturers are becoming much more efficient at | | | | energy and involve no moving parts, and can be |
| re-using and re-cycling materials used in the PV | | | | expected to continue doing so for upwards of 30 |
| manufacturing process. | | | | years. The energy used to manufacture them is |
| The Net Effect | | | | recouped within two to four years, nullifying any |
| When looking at the environmental impact of energy | | | | energy costs incurred in their manufacture, and, since |
| sources, we must not only take into consideration the | | | | panels have an operational lifespan of 25-30 years, |
| manufacturing process but also the net effect on the | | | | they will go on to produce energy in excess of their |
| environment over the operational lifetime of a given | | | | cost for many more years. |
| energy source. When compared to traditional sources | | | | Traditional energy sources versus solar? And the |
| of energy, such as nuclear and coal, the environmental | | | | winner is - solar! Hands down. |
| impact of PV technology is minimal to non-existent, | | | | Myth safely disposed of! |