ScienceDaily (Feb. 25, 2008) — In a finding that could help ease concerns about the potential environmental impact of manufacturing solar cells, scientists report that the manufacture of solar cells produces far fewer air pollutants than conventional fossil fuel technologies. Their report is the first comprehensive study on the pollutants produced during the manufacture of solar cells.

Solar energy has been touted for years as a safer, cleaner alternative to burning fossil fuels to meet rising energy demands. However, environmentalists and others are increasingly concerned about the potential negative impact of solar cell (photovoltaic) technology.

Manufacture of photovoltaic cells requires potentially toxic metals such as lead, mercury and cadmium and produces carbon dioxide, which contributes to global warming.

In the new study, Vasilis M. Fthenakis and colleagues gathered air pollution emissions data from 13 solar cell manufacturers in Europe and the United States from 2004-2006. The solar cells include four major commercial types: multicrystalline silicon, monocrystalline silicon, ribbon silicon, and thin-film cadmium telluride.

The researchers found that producing electricity from solar cells reduces air pollutants by about 90 percent in comparison to using conventional fossil fuel technologies.

The study "Emissions from Photovoltaic Life Cycles" is scheduled for the March 15 issue of the ACS' Environmental Science & Technology. doi./10.1021/es071763q

Recommend this story on Facebook, Twitter,
and Google +1:

Other bookmarking and sharing tools:

Story Source:

The above story is reprinted from materials provided by American Chemical Society, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Note: Materials may be edited for content and length. For further information, please contact the source cited above.

Disclaimer: Views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

enlarge

Manufacturing solar cells, which harness the energy of the sun, produces far few pollutants than conventional fossil fuel technologies, scientists say. (Credit: Courtesy of NASA)

Related Stories

Go Solar, Wind Or Geothermal If You Want Renewable Energy With Life-Cycle Efficiency (Aug. 18, 2007) — Do the overall efficiencies of renewable energy sources add up in terms of their complete life cycle from materials sourcing, manufacture, running, and decommissioning? Using these criteria, ...  > read more

Environmental Impact of Organic Solar Cells Assessed (Sep. 20, 2010) — To better understand the energy and environmental benefits and detriments of solar power, a research team has conducted one of the first life-cycle assessments of organic solar cells. The study found ...  > read more

New Generation Of Solar Cells Promises Efficiency (July 24, 2009) — Scientists have produced thin film solar cells made from compound semiconductors which are already reaching a 12 percent efficiency. Thin film solar cells are considered the next generation of solar ...  > read more

Innovation Puts Next-Generation Solar Cells On the Horizon (Dec. 2, 2009) — Scientists have developed an innovative way to boost the output of the next generation of solar cells. They have produced tandem dye-sensitized solar cells with a three-fold increase in energy ...  > read more

Search ScienceDaily