CONTINOUS ASSESSMENT - DISCUSSION TOPIC 5: HIDDEN POLLUTION CAUSED BY SOLAR PANELS.

Discussion topic 5:
In recent years, millions of solar panels have been placed on roofs around the
world. Discuss how safe are they? Discuss the hidden pollution caused by solar
panels.

The earth is in constant supply of solar power of up
to 100,000TW, this is enough energy to meet the energy needs of the earth’s
population every hour. The solar radiation thus supplied to the earth can be
put to meaningful use by applying the concept/technology of photovoltaics (PV)
– converting solar radiation into direct electricity using semiconductors (monocrystalline
silicon,  polycrystalline silicon,
amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium
selenide/sulphide) that exhibit the photovoltaic effect and illuminating them
by photons [1].

Even though PV systems have been known to offer
plentiful energy, the cost of solar energy technology (SET) along the
production line in terms of environmental, accident and associated risk issues
is still high [1].

ENVIRONMENT
IMPACT FROM SOLAR THERMAL HEATING SYSTEM.

Only little amounts of the large quantity of
materials used for production of solar thermal (ST) systems are consumed during
their operation [2]. At the operation stage of solar panels, the safety concern
and exposure to hazards comes as a result environmental pollution from changing
the coolant. A good organizational safety policy/work practice can address this
problem [2].

Leakage of the coolant system can cause fire and
gases released from vapourised coolant all constitute a major health and
environmental safety issues [2].

Loss and changes to an existing ecosystem can also
result when large-scale deployment of solar panels is required [2]. Installation
of solar panels can cause water to leak from the roof and at installation, the
workman is faced with the risk of falling from the top of the roof [2].

The cost components associated with the accident
that may occur are those incurred before occupational injuries, at occurrence
of the accident and that spent on its prevention if properly identified [3].

The pollution associated with the transport and
manufacture of SET are also of considerable significance. Large deployment of
SET proves to have effect on health because of the emissions involved in
material processing, the chemicals involved in the batteries that are used as
well as the raw materials needed for their production [2]. Heat transfer fluids
such as water, oil and liquid sodium are involved in SET, accidental release of
any of these fluids can cause occupational hazard [2].

The equipment for solar energy conversion requires
solar cells which in turn require the use of heavy and rare earth metals, and
the risk of pollution is inherent in their mining, manufacture, construction
and disposal after the useful life of these assets.

On September 19, 2012, a village in eastern china
rioted against a local solar panel manufacturing firm for dumping harmful and
toxic chemicals into its river [4]. Thus, the illusion of green, clean energy
only transfers/exports environmental ruin and damage to countries/places where
the panels are manufactured. This can be classified as a form of risk control
strategy –risk transfer [3].

REFERENCES

[1] Abdul, W.B. Aqeel, A. B. Gholamreza, Z. (2012)
Greener energy: issues and challenges for Pakistan-solar energy prospective,
Renewable and sustainable energy reviews [online] vol. 16, (pp 2762-2780)
Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032112001372  [Accessed 29 september 2012]

 [2]
Theocharis, T. Niki, F. Vassilis, G. (2005). Environmental impacts from the
solar energy technologies, Energy policy [online] vol 33, (pp 289-296).
Available from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421503002416  [Accessed 29 September 2012]

[3] Sue, C. Robin , T (1998). Safety, Reliability
and Risk management: An integrated approach. Second edition,
Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford.

[4] 500 chinese villages protest solar plant
pollution. [Online] Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tw2qlYxeSj4&feature=relmfu [Accessed 29 September 2012]