How “Green” are Solar Panels? And is it Really Going to Make a Difference on Climate Change?
Solar panels are often considered a sustainable and eco-friendly source of energy, but how green are they really? Let's take a closer look at the production process of photovoltaic cells, the impact of lithium and cobalt extraction, and the environmental scores of various solar panel manufacturers.
The Long Tailpipe of Solar
The term "long tailpipe" is often used in reference to the environmental impact of electric vehicles (EVs). It describes the emissions associated with the production of the electricity used to power EVs, which may come from sources such as coal-fired power plants. Essentially, even though EVs produce zero emissions on the road, the electricity used to charge them may have a significant carbon footprint if it comes from dirty sources.
In the case of solar panels, a similar concept could be applied to the manufacturing process. While solar panels themselves do not produce emissions or pollution during use, the production process can still have an environmental impact. This could include the use of non-renewable resources in the production of photovoltaic cells, or the emissions associated with transporting materials and finished panels to their final destinations.
The production process of photovoltaic cells involves several stages, including the mining of raw materials such as silicon, copper, and aluminum. While these materials are abundant in the earth's crust, their extraction and processing can have significant environmental impacts. For example, copper sulfide mining, which is often used to extract copper for use in solar panels, can cause pollution of air and water, as well as harm to wildlife and human health.
However, it's worth noting that the impact of solar panel manufacturing is generally considered to be much lower than that of fossil fuel-based electricity generation or even other forms of renewable energy production, such as wind turbines. Additionally, the environmental benefits of using solar energy over fossil fuels during the operational life of a solar panel far outweigh any potential negative impacts from manufacturing.
Similarly, the extraction of lithium and cobalt, which are used in the batteries that store solar energy, can also have negative environmental consequences. Lithium extraction often involves the use of large amounts of water and chemicals, which can contaminate local water sources and harm ecosystems. Cobalt extraction, which is primarily done in the Democratic Republic of Congo, has been linked to child labor and human rights abuses.
Coal and natural gas also have a “long tailpipe” and also has to be mined. So both products have a similarity in this. But the amount of mining and transportation of the heavy caol, which uses even more fossil fuels, which is also mined is significantly less for solar. The amount of coal that a 10 kW solar system would save depends on several factors such as location, weather conditions, and energy usage. However, on average, a 10 kW solar system can generate approximately 14,600 kWh of electricity per year, which is equivalent to burning about 5.2 tons (10,400 pounds) of coal—per YEAR! That’ means over a 25 year period of time that’s teh equivalent of approximately 260,000 lbs of coal. Not even counting the fuel that was used to extract, manufacture and transport the coal or natural gas. Therefore, a solar system can significantly reduce the reliance on fossil fuels and their harmful impact on the environment.
Emissions of Solar vs Coal
Once the panels You can probably think of a few recent disasters invovling transportation of dangerous chimcals, oil spills, even oil spills recently in Kansas, and we all know that coal has CO2 emissions that are harfmul. Thankfully thanks to scrubbers, the air isn’t as dirty as it once was.
As for the emissions of coal. Coal is considered dirty energy because of its carbon footprint. On a life-cycle basis, coal emits 820 grams or approximately 1.81 pounds (lbs) of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent per kWh of electricity produced, which is the highest out of all of the fuel types. The amount of CO2 that a 10kW solar system can avoid putting in the air compared to coal in a year depends on various factors, such as the location, energy consumption, and efficiency of the solar panels and the coal power plant.
However, on average, a 10kW solar system in the United States can generate about 15,000 kWh of electricity per year, which is equivalent to avoiding about 11,000 pounds of CO2 emissions from coal-based electricity generation, and over the warrantied period of 25 years of a solar system alone thats about 470,000 lbs of CO2. This is based on the assumption that one kWh of electricity generated by coal results in the emission of about 1.81 pounds of CO2.
It's worth noting that the actual CO2 savings may vary depending on the specific factors mentioned above, as well as the energy mix of the grid in the area where the solar panels are installed. Nonetheless, solar energy is widely recognized as a cleaner and more sustainable alternative to coal and other fossil fuels. Installing pollution control technologies: These are technologies that are designed to capture pollutants before they are released into the atmosphere. For example, scrubbers can be installed on power plants to remove sulfur dioxide emissions.
Using “cleaner” coal: Coal can be treated to reduce its sulfur content, which can help reduce emissions of sulfur dioxide.
Carbon capture and storage: This is a process where carbon dioxide emissions are captured and stored underground instead of being released into the atmosphere.
Improving efficiency: Making coal-fired power plants more efficient can help reduce emissions by burning less coal to produce the same amount of electricity.
How Many trees would need to be planted for every 10KW system installed in Kansas City?
The amount of CO2 that a tree sequesters (removes from the atmosphere) depends on a variety of factors, such as the species of tree, its age, size, and location. On average, a mature tree can absorb around 48 pounds (22 kg) of CO2 per year. However, this number can vary widely depending on the specific circumstances. Additionally, trees can also release CO2 back into the atmosphere when they die and decompose, so the net amount of CO2 sequestered by a tree over its lifetime may be less than the amount absorbed while it was alive.
The amount of CO2 sequestered by a tree can vary depending on the species, age, size, and growing conditions. On average, a mature tree can sequester around 48 pounds of CO2 per year.
To calculate how many trees would need to be planted to sequester 470,000 lbs of CO2 over a 25 year period, we can divide this number by the amount of CO2 sequestered by one tree in a year:
470,000 lbs / 48 lbs per tree per year = 9,791 trees
Therefore, approximately 9,791 trees would need to be planted to sequester 470,000 lbs. For the Math nerds, here’s a fun take on this question. What if we had a forest of mature trees today, how big would that forest need to be in order to sequester the same amount of CO2 in one year as opposed to 25 years?
470,000 pounds is approximately 213 metric tons of CO2.
The amount of CO2 that a single mature tree can sequester varies is typically around 48 pounds of CO2 per year. So, to sequester 213 metric tons of CO2, approximately 18,907 mature trees would need to be maintained for a year. It's important to note that planting trees alone is not enough to solve the problem of climate change. We also need to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions in all sectors, including energy, transportation, and industry. According to a study published in the journal "Nature Communications," the average number of trees in an acre of dense Amazon rainforest is about 400 trees per acre. There are an estimated 400 trees per acre in a mature Amazon rainforest, so roughly 48 acres of forest to sequester the same amount of C02 in a year, that your solar system will do over the 25 year warranty period of your solar system.
Which Solar Panels Have the Best Environmental Practices?
When it comes to the environmental scores of solar panel manufacturers, some companies have fared better than others. According to a study by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, manufacturers such as SunPower and SolarWorld have had some of the best environmental scores, while companies like Trina Solar and Yingli Green Energy have some of the lowest.
VSUN has been committed to using eco-friendly processes and materials in its solar panel manufacturing. One of the key ways they achieve this is through their use of PERC technology. PERC (Passivated Emitter Rear Cell) technology is an innovative approach to cell design that allows for higher efficiency and energy output while reducing the amount of materials required. This not only makes the manufacturing process more environmentally friendly, but also ensures that the resulting panels are more efficient and cost-effective for consumers.
Additionally, VSUN has implemented a closed-loop production process, which means that they recycle and reuse materials whenever possible, reducing waste and minimizing their environmental impact. They also use a water-based cleaning process instead of harsh chemicals, further reducing their environmental footprint.
In terms of materials, VSUN uses high-quality, durable components that are designed to last for many years, reducing the need for replacements and waste. They also use lead-free soldering in their manufacturing process, which reduces the amount of toxic materials released into the environment.
Overall it can be difficult to definitively rank solar panel manufacturers based on their environmental friendliness as there are various factors that come into play, such as the materials and methods used in manufacturing, transportation, and end-of-life recycling. However, here are eight solar panel manufacturers that are often cited as being among the most environmentally friendly in the industry.
Eight solar panel manufacturers cited as being among the most environmentally friendly in the industry:
SunPower: SunPower is known for its high-efficiency solar panels and has made efforts to reduce its environmental impact through sustainable manufacturing practices and recycling programs.
VSUN's: VSUN commitment to eco-friendly processes and materials demonstrates their dedication to sustainability and reducing their impact on the environment.
REC Solar: REC Solar uses sustainable manufacturing practices and has implemented a take-back program to recycle and repurpose old solar panels.
Canadian Solar: Canadian Solar has implemented environmental management systems to reduce waste, energy use, and greenhouse gas emissions during the manufacturing process.
Solar4America: Solar4America is a California based company that has received recognition for its environmental management practices and has implemented sustainable measures in its California based manufacturing facilities.
Jinko Solar: Jinko Solar has a strong focus on sustainability and has implemented measures to reduce its carbon footprint, such as utilizing renewable energy sources and implementing a circular economy approach.
Hanwha Q Cells: Hanwha Q Cells has implemented various sustainability initiatives, such as eco-friendly manufacturing processes and a take-back program for end-of-life solar panels.
Panasonic: Panasonic's solar panel manufacturing facilities utilize eco-friendly processes and materials, and the company has implemented a take-back program for end-of-life solar panels.
It's worth noting that there are many other solar panel manufacturers that are also implementing environmentally friendly practices in their manufacturing processes, and it's important to consider all aspects of a company's sustainability efforts when evaluating its environmental impact.
Benefits of Solar Panels
While the production process of solar panels can have negative environmental impacts, the actual energy production is where the solar industry really shines! Solar panels use renewable energy from sunlight to produce electricity, which means they both consume and produce energy without utilizing additional limited resources. This makes solar panels a sustainable and eco-friendly source of energy.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) provides a comprehensive report on the environmental benefits of solar power, including its potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution: https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy08osti/41869.pdf
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) provides a wealth of information on the environmental and economic benefits of solar power, including how it can reduce carbon emissions and create jobs: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-energy-wildlife-and-environment
The International Energy Agency (IEA) provides data on the growth of solar power and its potential to mitigate climate change: https://www.iea.org/reports/solar-pv
The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) provides a report on the benefits of renewable energy, including solar power, in reducing carbon emissions: https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/benefits-renewable-energy-use
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) provides a report on the benefits of transitioning to renewable energy, including solar power, for mitigating climate change: https://wedocs.unep.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.11822/28332/UNEP_EmissionsGapReport2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
Additionally, the lifespan of solar panels is generally quite long. Most panels have a life expectancy of around 25 years and come with a warranty to ensure their quality and efficiency during this time. For example, the VSUN 400 solar panel comes with a 25-year warranty and a 30-year production warranty, which means it is guaranteed to produce energy for at least 30 years.
At the end of their life, solar panels can be recycled to recover materials such as silicon and aluminum, which can then be used to produce new panels or other products. Glass composes most of the weight of a solar panel (about 75 percent), and glass recycling is already a well-established industry. Other materials that are easily recyclable include the aluminum frame, copper wire, and plastic junction box. While the recycling process can be complex and costly, it is important to ensure that solar panels are disposed of in an environmentally responsible way. Missouri is already working on the future of solar and recycling of solar panels.
Helio GreenTech is not alone in their efforts to promote sustainability within the solar industry. Other organizations like MOSEIA companies, such as Interco Trading Company,are also taking action to promote solar panel recycling. Interco Trading Company is a recycling company that specializes in the recycling of solar panels in Missouri. The company provides a safe and efficient way to dispose of solar panels, while also extracting valuable materials for reuse.
Overall, solar panels are a sustainable and eco-friendly source of energy that can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. If you're interested in learning more about how solar energy can benefit your home or business, working with a company like Helio GreenTech can be a great place to start. Their energy consultants can provide you with a quote and help you determine whether solar would be a good fit for your needs.
