Solar Energy Risks to Health

[Brendan David]

Solar energy is a potential source of free electricity and water
heating. It offers the power to enjoy electrical power in remote areas
of the world. It seems to offer health and safety along with power,
but does it?
Solar energy health risks are seldom mentioned. That may be partially
due to the limited use of this source of energy. It may also be due to
the lack of research in this area. Some have begun to study solar
energy health risks, however, and if one researches long enough, a few
estimates are available.
Thermal Solar Energy Health Risks
Solar energy health risks are inherent to the design and installation
of most thermal energy systems. These are the systems designed to heat
water and air for household use.
Solar water heaters complete three basic operations before delivering
hot water to your faucet or your heating unit:
1. collect sunlight and convert it into heat energy.
2. circulate fluids that transfer the heat energy to a storage unit
3. store the hot water until you need it
The solar energy health risks with such a system usually occur in the
storage units. Some units allow for the growth of allergenic molds and
fungi.
If proper materials are used for the storage unit, however, these
solar energy systems present few, if any, health risks. Their
advantages are that they are far safer than most fossil fuels or
nuclear power - they have no emissions and do not pollute the air.
PV Panel Solar Energy Health Risks
The solar energy health risks associated with photovoltaic (PV) panels
occurs before the panels are put into use on the consumer's home. PV
panels are the panels used to collect solar energy from sunlight and
convert it into usable electricity.
The manufacture of PV panels requires the use of toxic materials.
Silicon dioxide is mined from sand or quartzite and reduced with heat
to pure silicon. Materials released during refining are the main
health risks. Several steps in forming the photovoltaic cells utilize
toxic materials. These are sprayed on the cells, and can readily be
inhaled.
It is estimated that solar energy health risks associated with
producing PV panels per unit energy may be between 11 and 21 deaths
per quadrillion joules of energy produced.
Solar energy health risks from PV panels are very slight once the
panels are produced and installed on the consumer's home. This type of
solar energy is known for reliability and low maintenance. The home
owner seldom needs to be involved in any repairs, and thereby cuts
solar energy health risks.
Passive Solar Energy Health Risks
Passive solar energy provides safety and health. A new building that
maximizes this technology can reduce energy costs by nearly one half.
How?
1. Warming indoor air in a house through vertical, slanted windows
facing the sun. The windows capture maximum solar energy from the
sunlight.
2. Collecting solar energy in adobe or stone walls and floors, and
then releasing it into the air as the temperature falls.
3. Collecting solar energy in a sun space, much like a greenhouse
built on the sunny side of the home. This heat is sent into the home
with proper ventilation.
4. Holding water in black roof tanks until needed, cutting the working
time of the home's hot water heater.
5. Using clerestories - rows of windows near roof peaks that catch
sunlight and bounce it through the building. The sunlight reduces the
need for electric lights.
In Summary
Solar energy technologies present few, if any, health risks for the
end user. Their use can reduce the health risks presented by other
energy sources, providing cleaner, safer, more cost effective energy.