Social costs of solar energy: a study of photovoltaic energy systems
The view of solar energy as a totally clean and hazard-free alternative to conventional energy sources is born primarily of hope. It is unlikely that any energy technology is entirely free of social costs. This study presents a preliminary social-cost evaluation of photovoltaic technologies, emphasizing qualitative comparisons with electricity-generation systems based on coal and, in some cases, on nuclear fuels. Where possible, rough calculations are performed to establish relative priorities in policy issues. Potential risks are identified for silicon, cell fabrication and array assembly, cadmium sulfide, gallium arsenide, and system utilization. Direct and indirect social costs are found to be present in all the categories examined: occupational health and, to a lesser extent, the environment. Indirect impacts are found for labor, materials, and energy. Although silicon-based photovoltaics appears to involve the least potential risk, there remains a need to foresee and eliminate possible barriers because of health risks. 77 references, 23 figures, 10 tables.
- OSTI ID:
- 5940360
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
POLICY AND ECONOMY
14 SOLAR ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
SOCIAL IMPACT
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
POWER GENERATION
PUBLIC HEALTH
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
POWER PLANTS
SAFETY
SOLAR POWER PLANTS
299001* - Energy Planning & Policy- Solar- (1989-)
140600 - Solar Energy- Photovoltaic Power Systems