Solar Panel Toxins

Whatya have?

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This phrase made popular by the largest fast food restaurant in the entire world, The Varsity, best exemplifies the variety of choices proponents of solar energy (“solatariates”) have in toxic substances included in the production of their beloved solar modules.

Below is a list of the toxins for discussion:

• Cadmium Telluride
• Copper Indium Selenide
• Cadmium indium gallium (di)selenide (CIGS)
• Hexafluoroethane
• Lead
• Polyvinyl Flouride (PVF)
• Silicon Tetracholoride

Cadmium Telluride

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If you have not already read up on the many problems involved in the use of cadmium in the production of solar panels the you should do so. Most of this discussion takes place on our Health page and the Environment. We also have a quick summation of cadmium on the cadmium blog.

Uncited claims in Wikipedia data

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Please note, that the Wikipedia page for Cadmium Telluride makes some rather bold claims about CdTe. Claiming that it is completely nontoxic and will simply dissolve back into the earth after being spent. These claims are not reinforced with citations, and no reference is provided supporting these claims. In fact, research opposes these claims quite thoroughly.

Copper Indium Selenide

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Another one of the beloved toxic doping agents used in the production of solar panels. Copper Indium Selenide (CIS) mostly affects the respiratory system of carbon-based life forms. When ingested it prevented female laboratory rats from properly digesting food intake. When inhaled in vaporous form, CIS leads to abnormal growth deformities in the lungs and causes fluid to form in the lungs leading to increased lung fibrosis.

Cadmium Gallium (Di)Selenide

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Cadmium Indium Gallium (Di)Selenide (CIGS) is another lovely doping agent that is harmful when exposed to the respiratory system in carbon-based lifeforms. Regardless of exposure volumes, researchers discovered that when exposed to the lungs the lungs developed spots of inflammation. The continual exposure would lead to severe and irreparable lung damage.

Hexafluoroethane

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Hexafluoroethane is dangerous because when inhaled it will decrease the amount of oxygen that is absorbed by the body. Very high exposure will result in suffocation, heart arrhythmia

Lead

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A big “DUH!” goes with this one. If the item is soldered it contains lead, and research has proven that lead seeps from solar panels when exposed to rain water. So, lead poisoning is what happens.

Polyvinyl Fluoride (PVF)

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According to a material safety data sheet provided by the state of New Jersey, Polyvinyl Fluoride can cause damage to the lungs if inhaled. PVF is also known as a skin irritant, if presented to the body in liquid form can cause frostbite in affected areas of the skin. Repeated exposure to the chemical can cause headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea, and vomiting. PVF is believed to be damaging to the liver if ingested. It also is highly flammable.

Silicon Tetrachloride

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Is more or less associated with the manufacturing process involved in the production of solar panels. To produce a form of crystalline silicon that is viable for panel production, a by-product is produced. This by-product is silicon tetrachloride, and it is highly toxic. The production of this toxin has become a huge problem in China and other third-world countries whose mass production of solar products without regulation has done a large amount of environmental damage to those countries.

Amorphous Silicon

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Another one of the many toxins is amorphous silica which normally comes in the form of a fine white powder. It is this powder-like consistency that creates it unique characteristics for being highly flammable. Inhalation of amorphous silica is associated with pulmonary diseases such as silicosis, tuberculosis, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and of course lung cancer.