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Environmental Safety Risks With Solar Power

Although solar energy is a clean, viable source of renewable energy, there are a few risks associated with implementing solar energy on a large scale. Most of the environmental safety risks posed by solar energy come from the production of solar panels, which requires continued use of fossil fuels and the use of toxic chemicals that could pollute water sources. The effects of these risks are minimal compared with energy sources like coal or oil, but still deserve consideration.

Chemical Pollution
- In 2008, the Washington Post published a piece investigating polysilicon manufacturing companies accused of dumping toxic chemicals into local ground and water sources. The toxic waste of the manufacturing process contains silicon tetrachloride, which contaminants the ground and water and can cause adverse effects on people living in those areas. (See Resources) Other chemical substances used in the manufacturing process of silicon solar ponels, like arsenic, cadmium and the silicon itself, can be hazardous to workers involved in making solar panels. There is always a risk of dangerous chemical spills when working with hazardous substances. It should be noted, however, that these are safety risks of the manufacturing process, and not solar power itself.
Use of Fossil Fuels in Production
- Manufacturing and transporting silicon solar panels requires the use of fossil fuels. The panels themselves are made of a petroleum-based substance, and most manufacturing plants rely on fossil fuels to power their operations. Although some companies are working to make the manufacturing process and the panels fossil-fuel-free, most traditional solar panels still require the use of petroleum. However, the emissions released during the manufacturing process of solar power remain lower than the emissions released for continued use of coal and oil for power.
Land Disturbance
- Large-scale solar power production would require very large amounts of land dedicated to the solar panels. Erecting a large number of solar panels on a given parcel of land would disturb plant and animal habitats, natural distribution of sunlight, rainfall and drainage. Additional habitats would be disturbed in the process of building distribution lines. However, the possibility of small-scale implementation in homes and commercial buildings minimizes this safety risk.
Pollution Related to Disposal
- Improper disposal of used batteries and solar panels may result in soil and water pollution. The chemicals contained in solar panel components may leech into the soil, causing chemical pollution and adverse effects to those living near the disposal sites. Like the regulations required in disposing of electronics and batteries, regulations exist for the disposal of solar power components, but not all manufacturers or domestic users of solar power follow those rules.

Nature