Solar panel manufacturing and disposal -- is it green and safe?
Major solar companies aren’t just prioritizing market share and installed megawatts these days, according to a study that contends that the environmental and health effects of photovoltaic panels also are becoming a major consideration.
In its most recent Solar Scorecard, the nonprofit advocacy group Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition ranked international solar manufacturers on factors such as extraction of the raw materials, toxic chemical use in production, worker safety issues, product disposal, recycling and more.
German company SolarWorld nabbed the top score of 91, followed by Trina Solar in China. Next came a three-way tie among Abound and First Solar in the U.S. and REC of Norway. SunPower, based in San Jose trailed close behind.
The 15 companies included in the study represent nearly half of the solar photovoltaic industry by market share. Of those, just two said their products contained no cadmium or lead.
But 13 said they conducted audits and monitored their supply chain for environmental, health and safety issues. Eleven said they would publicly support a law that would require companies to take back and recycle panels at the end of their life.
All five of the manufacturers that said they had undergone the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure test passed, meaning that their photovoltaic modules are not considered to be hazardous waste.
Three companies took two similar tests offered by the state of California. One company failed both tests, and the two others each failed one.
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-- Tiffany Hsu
Photo: Homeowner Lefteris Padavos by the solar panels he installed himself on his roof. Credit: Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times
Don't forget to look at the manufacturing processes. There is a lot of uncontrolled pollution created in rare earth element mining.
Posted by: EmenyOfTheState | April 06, 2011 at 11:37 AM
The German company, SolarWorld, manufactures solar panels in Camarillo CA and Hillsboro OR.
The Oregon facility is the largest in North America.
So the panels are "Made in America".
Posted by: 48209 | April 06, 2011 at 11:25 AM
So did the Toxic Coalition score for the least or most raw materials, toxic chemical use in production, best or worst worker safety issues, product disposal, recycling and more. Is 91 good or bad?
Posted by: greggo | April 06, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Environmental standards can inspire competition and innovation by raising the quality bar for everyone. Interesting that German and Chinese companies scored higher than US companies. Looks like the US companies have some work to do.
John Howley
http://www.john-howley.com
Posted by: John Howley | April 06, 2011 at 04:34 AM
We should only buy solar panels made in the United States.
As it is we're just sending all our money over seas
Posted by: Rob | April 05, 2011 at 02:03 PM