Is PV Hazardous Waste? [RE-wrenches]

[Bill Brooks]

Jay,

The Cadmium in CdTe is in a compound form and will not be freed in a
landfill process. The false information about CdTe was distributed primarily
by manufacturers of a-Si who wanted to kill the technology before it would
compete with them (it not only competes but completely overwhelms a-Si as a
superior technology). Interestingly enough, the main company that started
this misinformation was bought by a company that manufactures CdTe (in
California with a two letter name starting with B and ending with P) and now
we don't hear negative statements about the technology from them anymore.

Always be careful of the source of information. Remember that there is about
the same Cadmium in a 100-Watt PV module as a single AA battery--and it is
in a non-toxic compound. I'm not a spokes person for CdTe, but it really
ticks me off to see misinformation leaked by competitors to try to submarine
new PV technologies that have tremendous potential. This misinformation has
had a major negative effect on the technology.

Bill.


-----Original Message-----
From: jay peltz [mailto:jay at asis.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 10:42 PM
To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
Subject: Re: Is PV Hazardous Waste? [RE-wrenches]


Hi Bill,

I would say that the panels that use CADTEL, do have a very small problem
with
the CADMIUM part.

As far as I know, the basis of a standard solar panel is clean, processesing
is
getting better too.

The basic notion is all wrong and I've seen this faulty info before.
1. takes more power to make then the every produce:   wrong, 3-5 yrs
depending
on where you live.
2. way polluting:: Hum last time I checked there wasn't anything better
except
wind power

3. The unisolar panels are made with plastic,which I don't know if they are
recycleable, but the glass.al panels sure are.

It takes all kinds no??

jay

peltz power

Bill Brooks wrote:

> Graham,
>
> I would seriously question the source that classified PV as hazardous
waste.
> The only references I have ever seen from credible sources classify it as
> non-hazardous waste and able to landfilled if necessary. I sincerely doubt
> this person is working with real information, particularly from their
> comments that followed.
>
> Bill.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: graham at solarexpert.com [mailto:graham at solarexpert.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 4:57 PM
> To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
> Subject: Is PV Hazardous Waste? [RE-wrenches]
>
> Dear Wrenches,
>
> Today I was informed that PV modules are classified as “hazardous
> waste”.  This statement kind of stunned me and was unsure as to the best
> response except to inform the potential customer that I am perplexed
> will look into it.
>
> The potential customer is a non-profit environmental organization based
> in Los Angeles.  They re-roofed a couple of months ago and we installed
> the solar mounts during the roofing process.  Below is a copy of an
> e-mail that was forwarded to me:
>
> > Gang,
> >
> > As you know, I have a lot of reservations about PV units.  While they
> > do harness electrical power from the sun without producing additional
> > pollution, they are energy intensive to produce and are listed as
> > hazardous waste to remove and dispose when their service life is
> > over.
>
> > However, I have followed the development of several innovations in > PV
> > production.  The web site below describes the efforts of a company
> > that produces a roof tile PV that produces more electricity than
> > stiff, box PV units.  The silicone is sprayed on aluminum sheets; the
> > connections are all snap together.  This product can be installed
> > either on top of existing roofing or instead of roofing tile
> > materials.  Each section is an 8-foot long "shingle" that does not
> > require a special rack or moorings.  The system is relatively
> > lightweight compared to a box system.  A system can be assembled at
> > the size required to fill the needs of the particular building.
> >
> > Take a look at this site.  Let me know what you think.
>
> I did not include the link but any advice as to how to respond will
> certainly be appreciated.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Graham Owen
>
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