What Are the Negative Impacts on the Environment Because of Solar Panels?

It is believed that much of the world's energy needs could be met entirely by solar power. Regardless of the negative effects on the environment, solar panels are considered the best source of alternative energy. Solar energy is, by far, the better option compared to the present and excessive consumption of coal, as solar energy is non-polluting and creates very little environmental damage once in place and operating -- but it is not without issues and associated concerns.

Cause for Concern

• Solar panels are primarily made of silicon, which is a safe and natural product of the Earth, being the second most abundant element in the Earth's crust (after oxygen). Silicon is not of great concern when it comes to solar panels. It's the chemical components combined with the silicon that are cause for concern, as the majority of them are highly toxic.

Toxic Chemicals

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists several hundred chemicals and warns of the dangers of these various elements, along with the symptoms that could potentially occur with contact. The National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health supports these findings, reporting that the chemicals used in manufacturing solar panels have the potential to cause substantial environmental damage. The list of dangerous, cancer-causing chemicals used in the construction of solar paneling is extensive and alarming.

Disposal Concerns

• Electronic waste is a growing concern.

  The life cycle and recycling capabilities of solar panels are also uncertain and worrisome. The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, a California-based watchdog group, is raising awareness over the waste burden of solar panels. The amount of electrical equipment being disposed of daily is growing exponentially. If a highly developed plan for the disposal of solar paneling is not soon put in place, there will be serious environmental consequences to contend with, including toxicity, landfill and labor issues.

Energy and Emissions

• The making of solar panels ultimately requires an immense amount of energy -- ironically, from coal-fired power. Even with an ever-growing awareness and both the desire and demand to curb manufacturing emissions, contaminants (primarily mercury) are inevitably released into the environment during the process of manufacturing solar panels. Mercury is a toxic substance known to impair human brain function. Burning coal also releases volatile organic compounds at the rate of over 30 tons annually at just one solar-panel manufacturing plant. VOCs are known to cause cancer.