Transcript Presentation 101 for Graduate Students

Social Impact of Photovoltaic Technology:
A Preliminary Desk-Based Research
Santiago Cáceres1 ([email protected])
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
2 de 15
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
3 de 15
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
4 de 15
Introduction
Scoping
Affected Stakeholder
Alternatives
Alternatives
Profiling
Impacts
The research is
useful to find
Information about:
Projection
General
Methodology
for SIA
Assessment
Evaluation
Mitigation
Barrow C.J.
Social Impact
Assessment:
An introduction
Monitoring
Ex-post evaluation
5 de 15
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 Toxics Coalition (NGO)
EPRI and California Energy Commission
6 de 15
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.
7 de 15
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
8 de 15
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
9 de 15
Solar Energy Firms Leave Waste Behind in China
By Ariana Eunjung Cha
Washington Post Foreign Service
Sunday, March 9, 2008
"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.
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.
10 de 15
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.
11 de 15
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.
12 de 15
13 de 14
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.
14 de 15
Thank you very much
for your kind attention