Is PV Hazardous Waste? [RE-wrenches]

[Travis Creswell, Ozark Solar]

I doubt it.

The standard for determining if your waste stream is hazardous waste is the
TCLP test.  Called the T-Clip.  It's a test where the product in question
scientifically crushed then thrown into a tumbler with various chemicals
(even water) is added.  The whole mess is tumbled for ~17 hours then is
analyzed for chemicals that might have been freed from the product.  This
test is supposed to represent what happens to something that is thrown into
a landfill.  I don't know of any chemical that is in common solar panels
that would cause that test to be over the limits.  I am very familiar with
the test in how it is used to determine the status of fluorescent light
bulbs.  All of the big manufacturers now have "low mercury bulbs" that are
marketed and safe to throw away.  The bad thing is that the TCLP test not
based on how much total, but how much % by total, so what many manufacturers
are doing is adding inert products to their lamps to cheat the test.

You could ask the manufacturers if they have any TCLP results on their
product.

Travis Creswell
Ozark Energy Services
----------
>From: graham at solarexpert.com
>To: RE-wrenches at topica.com
>Subject: Is PV Hazardous Waste? [RE-wrenches]
>Date: Tue, Jan 29, 2002, 6:56 PM
>

>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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