The Environmental Impact of Solar Panels
Solar energy is often cited as a clean alternative to fossil fuels. After all, solar panels generate energy without producing air pollution. Because many parts of the country have an abundance of sunshine, solar power could become a viable home grown energy. Although solar energy is cleaner than fossil fuels, the manufacture of solar panels can have a negative impact on the environment, according to Voiceofsandiego.org.
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Production
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The production of solar panels can produce greenhouse gases. How much of an impact depends on how the panels are "manufactured, installed, and ultimately disposed of" according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. A lot of energy is required to produce solar panels. Initially, this energy will have to come from fossil fuels. Fossil fuels produce greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere.
Hazardous Material
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Moreover, solar panels are made with many dangerous materials, including many carcinogens. The manufacturing of solar panels requires arsenic and cadmium, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Also, solar panels require a substance called polysilicon. To manufacture one ton of polysilicon, four tons of liquid waste are produced. If this waste is exposed to humid air, it can transform into various acids and poisonous gases, according to The Washington Post.
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Outsourcing
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The United States and European Union have strict laws governing how hazardous chemicals can be used and disposed of, but many solar panels are manufactured in developing countries with lax environmental regulations. Recently, a solar panel producer in China was found to be "cutting costs by dumping toxic chemicals on nearby farmland" according to Voiceofsandiego.org. An independent laboratory analyzed the dirt and found it to have high concentrations of many harsh chemicals, according to the Washington Post.
Land
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Solar panels would have to cover much of the American landscape to generate enough power to meet our energy needs. It takes 1 square km of solar panels to produce 20 to 60 megawatts of electricity according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Because of this, an increased use of solar power could be a threat to environmental preservation and wildlife protection.
Considerations
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Despite this, solar energy is still considerable cleaner than fossil fuels. Manufacturing solar panels may require energy from fossil fuels, but the energy used to produce those pales in comparison to the amount of clean energy those panels will produce according to the Union of Concerned Scientists. Moreover, the amount of land needed to generate solar power is roughly the same as the amount of land needed to mine coal.
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