Solar energy is relatively "clean", although its use could have some indirect and minimal adverse effects on the environment The silicon-based photovoltaic cells used to convert solar energy into electric power can potentially become waste products after they are spent.
On the positive side -- there is at least one patent that I am aware of that proposes a method for recovering these wastes.
More importantly, this initiative shows that we are at least learning from past mistakes.
No one contemplated cleanup or recovery efforts when fossil fuels first gained popularity.
And still, an even brighter prospect is on the horizon; the prospect of recyclable components.
It should be noted that all the components (aluminum frames, glass, cables, and PV wafers) of a solar module can be recycled.
Not only is this recycling process beneficial for the environment, it also helps to reduce the fabrication costs and the energy required to produce new solar panels.
The estimated lifetime of a photovoltaic module (solar cell) is approximately 25 years, so the modules that are installed today will not reach the end of their useful life for another 20 to 30 years.
This provides the industry with a lot of time to develop even more efficient recycling processes.
Currently, other than damage caused by transport and installation, solar panels present very little chance of waste or environmental damage.
This presents a far more promising prospect than fossil fuels ever could.
Solar cells provide "clean" energy and are capable of leaving a very small environmental footprint.
When carefully considering all the facts, you can clearly see that there really is no impending issue of waste involved with the use of solar panels [http://www.
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