Is PV Hazardous Waste? [RE-wrenches]

[EH Roy]

Graham,

Every manufacturer should have a material safety data sheet for their
modules and this should address this issue. I do know that ASE Americas has
stated that their modules are not classified as hazardous waste and that
they are classified for ordinary landfills. Whether a manufacturer uses
lead-free solder is an important aspect of this classification, so it is
best to check with the manufacturer of the modules you installed/plan to
install - get their MSDS.

I agree with others that your customer is being overzealous about PV. I
don't know anyone who is completely clean. After all, he sent you a message
using a computer that probably has a lot of the same stuff inside it; plus
it has a plastic case (no doubt made from hydrocarbons); not to mention the
energy use by his unit and by the ISP and so on......

E. H. Roy
Solar Works, Inc.
64 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05663
1-800-339-7804 ext. 306
ehroy at solar-works.com

-----Original Message-----
From: graham at solarexpert.com [mailto:graham at solarexpert.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 29, 2002 7:57 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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