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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