Is PV Hazardous Waste? [RE-wrenches]

[jay peltz]

Hi Bill,

thanks for the info.  I had gotten if from that two letter company from their
engineers when I was there for a visit years ago..  And its the plant where they
were working on the CdTe product.

I was told that they could be recycled but the only place that did recycle it
was in Europe.

round and round we go!!

jay



Bill Brooks wrote:

> 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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