Social costs of solar energy: a study of photovoltaic energy systems

Book · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5940360

Neff, T L

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

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600 -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
299001* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Solar-- (1989-)
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONVERSION
ENERGY CONVERSION
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY
PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER PLANTS
POWER GENERATION
POWER PLANTS
PUBLIC HEALTH
RISK ASSESSMENT
SAFETY
SOCIAL IMPACT
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SOLAR POWER PLANTS