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Evaluation:

This Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) considers the mining to the end of life of a photovoltaic solar panel.

 

There are many inputs, outputs, and processes which can be analyzed but this LCA will focus on the environmental impact of the life of a solar panel.

 

There are several companies with their own processes, which determines the amount of recycling and waste which will be producted for the silicon, cell and panel production. The process of mining, refining and manufacturing silicon is extremely energy intensive (Bowie, 2011).

 

The most volatile process analyzed is the silicon extraction which uses high amounts of energy because silicon requires temeperatures up to 1100 degrees Celsius and hazardous chemicals (Siemens, 2009).

 

The byproduct of polysilicon production -- silicon tetrachloride -- is a highly toxic substance that poses environmental hazards if not recycled or disposed of properly (Cha, 2008). China has been dumping hazardous waste and emitting deadly fume without consequence (Bowie, 2011). Siemens has a patented design for recycling Tricholosilane within the extraction process (Siemens, 2009). 

 

Life Cycle Analysis

Conclusion:

Overall, photovoltaic solar panels can be a major threat to the environment because of hazardous waste.

 

Although PV panel recycling exists, not all panels will be recycled. There are new solar technologies which are being developed which are not as detrimental to the environment, like carbon solar panel, which use carbon instead of silicon to generate energy (Irfan & Climate, 2012).

References

 

Bowie, E. (2011, April 1). How “clean” is solar energy?. Retrieved January 15, 2014 from: http://blogs.dickinson.edu/enews/2011/03/31/how-clean-is-solar-energy/

 

Cha,A. (2008, March 9). Solar Energy Firms Leave Waste Behind in China. Retrieved January 15, 2014 from: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/03/08/AR2008030802595.html

 

Irfan, U & Climate, W. (2012, November 16). Carbon emerges as new solar power material. Retrieved January 15, 2014: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/carbon-emerges-as-new-solar-power-material/

Siemens. (2009). http://www.industry.siemens.com/verticals/global/en/solar-industry/polysilicon-production/Documents/Case_Study_EN.pdf

 

Solar Energy Industries Association. (n.d) Retrieved January 15, 2014 from:http://www.seia.org/policy/environment/pv-recycling

 

State of Oregon. (n.d)Health and Safety Concerns of Photovoltaic Solar Panels. Retrieved January 15, 2014 from: http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/HWY/OIPP/docs/life-cyclehealthandsafetyconcerns.pdf

Photovoltaic Solar Panel Life Cycle Analysis

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