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Social Impact of Photovoltaic Technology: A Preliminary Desk-Based Research. Santiago Cáceres 1 (sancac@eii.uva.es) Javier Gómez 2 , Cristina Durlan 2 , Guillermo Aleixandre 3 1 Electronic Technology, 2 Sociology, 3 Applied Economics Departments University of Valladolid (Spain).
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Social Impact of Photovoltaic Technology: A Preliminary Desk-Based Research Santiago Cáceres1 (sancac@eii.uva.es) Javier Gómez2, Cristina Durlan2, Guillermo Aleixandre3 1Electronic Technology, 2Sociology, 3Applied Economics Departments University of Valladolid (Spain) Porto. June, 1st 2012
Outline • Introduction • Methodology • Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System • Impacts • Conclusion
Introduction • Advantages of PV Energy • PV material requirement are extremely low • Does not produce any noise, toxic-gas emissions, or greenhouse gases • Operation phase is a zero-emissions process • solar contribute to the security of energy supply in every country • PV can be used off-grid • Thousands of jobs can be created
Introduction • Objective • The main goal of this paper is to look for potential negative social impacts related with the solar panel and the inverter of a photovoltaic system • It is a desk-based research
Introduction Scoping Affected Stakeholder Alternatives Alternatives Profiling General Methodology for SIA Barrow C.J. Social Impact Assessment: Anintroduction Impacts The research is useful to find Information about: Projection Assessment Evaluation Mitigation Monitoring Ex-post evaluation
Methodology • Literature review Tree main sources found: • Vasilis M. Fthenakis. Director of the Center of Life Cycle Analysis (Columbia University), supported with research grants from the EPA, NYSERDA and the PV industry • Silicon Valley ToxicsCoalition (NGO) • EPRI and California EnergyCommission
Methodology • Sheikh and Kocaoglu made a literature review • Five perspectives: social, technological, economic, environmental and political (STEEP) • Conclusion: few papers reflected the social and political perspective and only in a conceptual level.
Solar Photovoltaic System • Components • Solar cell panels, Inverter, DC isolator, AC switched disconnector, Batteries, Wires, Mechanical structure • Solar Cell Panel • First generation: c-Si • Second generation: thin-film • Third generation: out of the scope of the research • Inverter • Printed Circuit Boards (PCB), resistor, transistors, capacitors, integrated circuits (ICs), transformer, and the container
Impacts • Manufacturing • Toxicity and explosive nature of some gases. Problems with • Accidental release • Explosions or inhalations • Exposures to low levels of toxic materials over long periods • Use/Operation • Leaching of heavy metals (cadmium, selenium) • Accidental fires could release toxic fumes
Solar Energy Firms Leave Waste Behind in China By ArianaEunjung Cha Washington Post Foreign Service Sunday, March 9, 2008 China quells village solar pollution protests By Royston Chan HAINING, China | Sun Sep 18, 2011 6:58am EDT (Reuters) - Residents of a village in east China accused riot police of heavy-handed tactics after a three-day protest against a solar panel factory accused of dumping toxic waste was brought to an end on Sunday. "It's poison air. Sometimes it gets so bad you can't sit outside. You have to close all the doors and windows," says Qiao Shi Peng, 28.
Impacts • Decommissioning • Disposal of large quantities of modules to a single landfill presents potential risks for humans, communities and the environment as the leaching of chemicals can contaminate local ground and surface water. • Fthenakis (2003) indicates that the main concern during this life cycle phase will be associated with the presence of Cadmium. • The long life of PV cells and the fact that it is a young industry makes data from landfills not yet available.
Impacts • Decommissioning • Many of the chemicals found in electronic waste (e-waste) are also found in solar PV, including lead, brominated flame retardants, cadmium, and chromium. • The disposal of e-waste is becoming and escalating environmental and health problem in countries in West Africa, Asia and Latin America. This should be prevented in the case of PV systems.
Conclusion The manufacture of PV modules uses some hazardous materials which can present health and safety hazards, if adequate precautions are not taken. Hazardous materials could adversely affect occupational and public health during accidents or improper handling and treatment in all the lifecycle stages because of lacking the appropriate technology as is the case in some developing countries.
