How Green Is Solar Panel Production

However solar panels are not emitting toxins into the atmosphere as they re generating electricity.

How green is solar panel production.

The struggle to keep photovoltaics green does not end with the production of polysilicon. While solar panels are considered a form of clean renewable energy the manufacturing process does produce greenhouse gas emissions. Solar panels glimmering in the sun are an icon of all that is green. Solar cell manufacturers purify.

The carbon footprint of solar panel production varies widely by region of production depending largely on the primary fuel that a region relies on for its energy. It would be great if all solar panel production facilities were powered by well solar power but this isn t always the case. The panel is rated to produce 224 watts of power in 1 hour of peak solar intensity. The svtc said it s leading an effort to develop a first ever sustainability standard for solar panels similar to the u s.

To create a solar panel caustic materials will emit greenhouse gases. So if you live in santa fe new mexico you would generate 6 x 224 watts 1 33 kwh in one day with that one panel. Green building council s leadership in energy and environmental design or. The manufacturing side of solar can be very un green since its energy intensive processes are often powered by fossil fuel based electricity.

For the sake of example if you are getting 5 hours of direct sunlight per day in a sunny state like california you can calculate your solar panel output this way. Silicon tetra chloride in solar. In the case of solar panels some of the characteristics to consider are the materials used in its production and where the materials were sourced assembled and distributed. In 2014 a study found that the carbon footprint of a solar panel produced in china where coal is heavily relied upon for electricity was twice that of a panel produced in europe.

Additionally to produce solar panels manufacturers need to handle toxic chemicals.