Solar Cell Recycling: Is it Dangerous?
Legally, there is nothing stopping solar cell manufacturers from dumping old, used, or broken solar panels into the local dump. And recycling is not as easy as a trip to the local recycling center and a toss into the bin labeled “glass” or “aluminum.” Fortunately for our environment, solar companies are regulating themselves in terms of solar cell disposal. The environment, after all, is the very base of the clean energy movement. Renewable energy and a booming industry are merely gifts from that abundant environment.
But is recycling solar cells dangerous? Not as dangerous as tickets to the landfill. Some materials used in solar module manufacturing are in fact quite dangerous to the environment, especially cadmium telluride (CdTe) cells. Fortunately for you and I, manufacturers of these cells fully understand the dangers and will take back and process them at the company’s expense. Take First Solar’s model as an example of a progressive recycling program.
While I believe that the green-hearted motivations of the self-regulating solar industry are sincere, recycling solar modules makes economic sense as well. The solar industry is booming but still in a rather tight race with other green and even fossil-fueled industries to gain the stronger foothold on America’s energy future. One toxic dumping incident or accident, and a possibly irreparable scar would appear on the face of the industry.
Recycling solar panels is not so much dangerous as it is necessary – much the same way recycling cardboard, glass, metal, and plastic is necessary – but solar cells are complex and not to be taken lightly. First Solar has created a way to recreate new panels from old, so long as you have First Solar panels. You can find directions for recycling panels on the Internet when the time comes.
Over the next 30 to 40 years, recycling will become even more of an issue as today’s solar systems require upgrading. It’s great to see companies, such as First Solar, establishing comprehensive recycling plans now.
Link:
Recycling Photovoltaic Solar Cells
Legally, there is nothing stopping solar cell manufacturers from dumping old, used, or broken solar panels into the local dump. And recycling is not as easy as a trip to the local recycling center and a toss into the bin labeled “glass” or “aluminum.” Fortunately for our environment, solar companies are regulating themselves in terms of solar cell disposal. The environment, after all, is the very base of the clean energy movement. Renewable energy and a booming industry are merely gifts from that abundant environment.
But is recycling solar cells dangerous? Not as dangerous as tickets to the landfill. Some materials used in solar module manufacturing are in fact quite dangerous to the environment, especially cadmium telluride (CdTe) cells. Fortunately for you and I, manufacturers of these cells fully understand the dangers and will take back and process them at the company’s expense. Take First Solar’s model as an example of a progressive recycling program.
While I believe that the green-hearted motivations of the self-regulating solar industry are sincere, recycling solar modules makes economic sense as well. The solar industry is booming but still in a rather tight race with other green and even fossil-fueled industries to gain the stronger foothold on America’s energy future. One toxic dumping incident or accident, and a possibly irreparable scar would appear on the face of the industry.
Recycling solar panels is not so much dangerous as it is necessary – much the same way recycling cardboard, glass, metal, and plastic is necessary – but solar cells are complex and not to be taken lightly. First Solar has created a way to recreate new panels from old, so long as you have First Solar panels. You can find directions for recycling panels on the Internet when the time comes.
Over the next 30 to 40 years, recycling will become even more of an issue as today’s solar systems require upgrading. It’s great to see companies, such as First Solar, establishing comprehensive recycling plans now.
Link:
Recycling Photovoltaic Solar Cells
Posted on October 23rd in Solar Information by Dan.