China Producing Solar Panels Affect On The Environment

With recycling expensive.

China producing solar panels affect on the environment.

Solar energy systems power plants do not produce air pollution water pollution or greenhouse gases. Solar panels didn t start becoming widely popular until the 1990s and even more so post 2000s. While not all manufacturers offer recycling programs today for old panels it hasn t been a huge concern considering the lifespan of these panels. The sun provides a tremendous resource for generating clean and sustainable electricity without toxic pollution or global warming emissions.

Environmental scientists and solar industry leaders are raising the red flag about used solar panels which contain toxic heavy metals and are considered hazardous waste. Whilst some solar thermal and concentrated solar collectors do use toxic fluids the level is often far lower than that of a traditional power plant. Using solar energy can have a positive indirect effect on the environment when solar energy replaces or reduces the use of other energy sources that have larger effects on the environment. Without efficiency and reasonable limits to energy use solar and wind power only benefit the environment so much.

China faces this dilemma plus an even more significant issue. This number is reduced when you consider solar panels that live in areas that experience dust or snow storms regularly. The average lifespan of a solar panel is about 20 years but high temperatures as in the mojave desert can accelerate the aging process for solar cells and snow dust and other natural events tornadoes earthquakes can cause material fatigue on the surface and in the internal electric circuits gradually reducing the panel s power. Yet manufacturing all those solar panels a tuesday report shows can have environmental.

Most solar panels on the other hand do not require such fluids and are better for the environment. Solar panels require plastic and metal to produce and national geographic reports that production also requires sodium hydroxide and. According to the us department of energy the lifespan of a solar panel will typically span 20 to 30 years depending on the environment where the panels are installed. As a result the majority of panels are still useable and producing electricity.