Solar Energy For Beginner FAQ – Part 4

Understanding the basics of solar energy technology, equipment, and terminology.

Solar Energy For Beginner FAQ- An introduction to the common equipment and terminology used in solar technology. Topics of discussion include solar PV systems, solar terms, system components, net metering, and financial considerations with regard to solar development.

Frequently Asked Questions

3. Safety

3.1 Are solar panels toxic?

Solar panels largely consist of widely used and non-toxic components, including an aluminum frame, tempered glass, and various common plastics. The most common type of solar panel consists of crystalline silicon PV cells, which generate electricity when exposed to light. These non-toxic crystalline silicon cells consist almost entirely of silicon, one of the most common elements in the Earth’s crust.

Cadmium-based thin-film solar panels are the second most common type of panel (accounting for less than 15% worldwide); however, NYSERDA is not aware of any of these installations currently in New York. While cadmium is toxic, the form of cadmium used in these types of solar panels is cadmium telluride (CdTe), which has 1/100th the toxicity of elemental cadmium.

When a CdTe panel is exposed to free, the glass panels absorb the cadmium such that more than 99.9% of the cadmium is stored in the glass itself and not released into the environment. CdTe panels have also passed the EPA’s Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure test, which tests the potential for crushed panels in a landfill to leach hazardous substances into groundwater.

Some minor system components, including solder, may contain toxic chemicals at extremely low concentrations. Analysis performed by the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center did not find a potential toxicity threat from leaching, even in worst-case scenarios (hurricane, fire, tornado, etc.), indicating an insignificant threat to human health and the environment.

Release of toxic chemicals from other solar system equipment, including inverters, racking, and cabling, is also unlikely, as solar installations must conform to state fire safety and electrical codes, and they pose little or no risk of contaminating the soil or groundwater.

3.2 Can solar panels break and release toxic materials?

The most common solar panel failure modes include glass breakage and various failures of internal electrical connections, neither of which would typically result in the release of any materials to the environment. Solar panels are constructed primarily of silicon or cadmium telluride, tempered glass, and metals. Similar to a car windshield, when solar panels experience a catastrophic event, the panels typically stay fully intact, thus not releasing any materials into the environment.

Additionally, reputable solar panel manufacturers will ensure that their equipment is certified to the applicable performance standards and safety standards, including those established by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

3.3 Do solar panels affect the water runoff at the site?

Federal, state, and local rules are in place to ensure that solar arrays are installed in ways that protect public water supplies, wetlands, and other water resources. Rooftop solar systems have little to no effects on the direction or flow of water. Ground-mounted systems will be designed to manage runoff using deep-rooted vegetation such as “pollinator-friendly” grasses and wildflowers, pervious pavement, or topographical features such as berms, swales, or retention ponds, which can provide a net water quality benefit.

Various state agencies also maintain requirements and relevant guidance on this topic:

• The Department of Environmental Conservation’s State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) website details permit requirements for stormwater discharge.
• The Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Guidelines for Solar Energy Projects includes guidance related to drainage for solar installations on agricultural lands.

3.4 Should we be worried about electromagnetic fields (EMF) associated with solar?

There are two kinds of EMF: “ionizing fields,” which are high-level and harmful, and “non-ionizing,” which are low-level and generally harmless. Non-ionizing radiation comes from computers, appliances, cell phones, and wireless routers, whereas ionizing radiation comes from harmful sources such as UV lights or X-rays. EMF from solar systems is non-ionizing, similar to that of your household appliances.

Studies show that the exposure level within the array or at the fenced boundary of a system falls well below recommended exposure limits. This exposure level decreases even more as you move away from the system, and is nonexistent at night when the system is not producing energy. Ultimately, EMF from solar systems is extremely insignificant and cannot be associated with a health effect.

3.5 Do solar panels create glare? I’m worried about the visual impacts on my town and aviation.

Solar panels are designed to be dark colors, usually black or blue, that absorb the sunlight to create electricity. If panels were reflecting the sun, or creating glare, they would not be effective. PV panels are designed with anti-reflective coating to increase panel efficiency and keep the level of reflected light around 2%, less than the reflectivity of water. Airports around the world have been installing PV arrays to provide onsite generation, and studies show that glare from the solar arrays is a negligible issue.

3.6 Do solar panels create high ambient temperatures in their surroundings?

The theory that a functioning solar PV array increases the ambient temperature of its surroundings is known as the “heat island” effect. The “heat island” effect proposes that solar panels create a darker landscape that reflects less light, and therefore creates a localized area of increased heat.

Few studies have been conducted on the subject, but it has been generally concluded that the area surrounding a large-scale solar array is unlikely to experience a net heating change from the panels. It is, however, possible to see some heating occur under the panels themselves.

This can be mitigated with the proper implementation of vegetative cover instead of gravel. With any PV array, the significance of the heating depends on the location of the array, the time of the year, and the surrounding environment.

3.7 Does the fire department need special equipment to handle solar panel fires?

No special equipment is needed to handle solar panel frames, just proper training. Solar panels, like any electrical device, can be a fire hazard themselves or act as a physical barrier that hinders the ability of firefighters to put out an unrelated fire. Project developers and municipalities must ensure the local fire department is aware of the installation and informed about the procedures for de-electrifying the system and responding to incidents. In addition, the New York State Fire Code directly addresses solar PV installations, requiring clear labeling, instructions, setbacks, and safety features.

3.8 Are solar panels recyclable?

Solar panel recycling and disposal are not yet a major consideration in New York State, as most installations are newly operational and have a minimum 25-year expected useful life. It is, however, important to plan for the disposal of solar systems at the end of their useful life.

Currently, there are no regulations requiring the recycling of solar panels in New York State, but it is best practice to reuse or recycle system components. Solar panels are classified as “general waste,” which means that they can be placed in a landfill. Solar panels can contain small amounts of toxic materials, but research shows that they generally do not pose a threat in landfills.

Some solar energy system components, such as metal racking, can readily be reused or salvaged. Solar PV recycling is still in its infancy, though the ultimate goal is to recycle solar panels and recover any materials that may be reused or sold. At present, this is costly, but the industry is advancing; a 2016 study by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that recyclable materials in old solar modules will be worth $15 billion in recoverable assets by the year 2050. Some examples of recycling opportunities in the United States include: Cascade Eco Minerals, Cleanlites, Echo Environmental, and First Solar.

3.9 Do solar PV systems generate noise?

Solar panels are noise-free, and residential solar inverters are quieter than a refrigerator. Large-scale, ground-mounted systems may have minor noise associated with the transformers and inverters within the array, as well as the electrical equipment used as required for utility interconnection. Any system noise is typically at background levels at a distance of 50 to 150 feet from the site boundary.

3.10 How are endangered species protected?

Endangered species are accounted for and protected throughout the life of a large-scale solar project. First, solar projects must conduct an initial screening with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to identify if endangered species are present in the area.

In consultation with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife, developers must identify potential impacts to endangered or threatened species from facility construction, operation, or maintenance, and work with the DEC to mitigate impacts.

Issues related to direct and indirect habitat loss, mortality, breeding, wintering, and migration patterns of birds and bats are all addressed during the process through which solar projects obtain their permits to construct, and inform the final design of the project and mitigation measures.

Examples of potential mitigation measures include construction buffers around known bald eagle nests, avoiding disturbing sensitive habitat, and developing conservation funds to offset any unavoidable impacts.

3.11 Do solar panels contribute to bird loss?

Solar Energy For Beginner FAQ – The misconception that solar projects are a major contributor to bird loss has stemmed  from issues with “concentrated solar thermal.” This type of solar system, which constitutes a small percentage of US solar capacity and is located almost exclusively in the Southwest, uses mirrors to focus solar energy in order to power a steam generator.

Bird loss in this situation occurs when birds fly through concentrated light reflection. Solar projects in New York, which use solar panels to convert sunlight into energy, do not reflect light or act as mirrors. Due to this major design difference, there is a minimal impact on avian species.

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