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World Report View

Impact of solar power on water

by Susmita Adhikari | 14-03-2020 16:06 recommendations 0

To begin at the beginning, the production of solar panels is no different to any other production processes: water plays a role in producing certain components such as the production of photovoltaic units.

 

However, according to the Union of Concerned Scientists, while solar uses less water, the chemicals used in the manufacturing process are caustic and toxic. There is always the risk of some kind of spill which could result in these chemicals leeching into the soil and contaminating ground water. To be fair, that is a risk that is not unique to solar panel manufacturers.

 

The effect of domestic or small-scale solar power usage

 

Photovoltaic solar power such as the panels installed on the roof of a home use no water at all in order to generate electricity. The only water that is used at all is if the panels themselves need to be washed so that their efficiency is improved. That¡¯s it!

It is in terms of large solar power facilities that the impact on water becomes more significant and of greater concern in terms of the green credentials of solar. The Solar Energy Development Programmatic IES points out several important areas of concern when it comes to these plants:

  • *The biggest single issue with the plants themselves appears to be the use of significant amounts of water for cooling purposes. Solar plants are often constructed in arid areas and place great strains on what are already limited local or regional water resources. Some ¡°wet cooling¡± plants use more water per unit of electricity produced than a conventional fossil fuel plant!
  • *There is the risk of contamination and pollution of ground and surface water sources from spills and airborne chemicals such as dust suppressants. Fairly large amounts of water are also needed to keep receivers, concentrators (mirrors, panels, etc.) clean.

 

To offset this less rosy view, one does well to remember that photovoltaic power plants consume only one hundredth of the volume of water used by fossil fuel plants for day-to-day operations! In addition, there are potential solutions for the problems

Possible solutions to reduce the impact on water resources of solar plants

 

As is so often the case, there are broadly two options when it comes to reducing the impact solar has on water: improve or modify existing technologies or develop new ones. In terms of solar power plants there are developments in both areas.

For the large plants there is a growing move towards more efficient wet or water cooling systems and technology. In addition, research and development is underway in terms of dry cooling and also wet-recirculating systems and cooling towers. While these reduce water consumption dramatically, the down sides are a loss of efficiency in terms of megawatt per hour production and increased production costs.

 

The unknown: the impact of the disposal of damaged or decommissioned panels

 

There is no disagreement that many photovoltaic cells, especially thin-film cells, contain a cocktail of hazardous chemicals. While the cell is healthy and in use it poses no risk at all. However, solar power is still in its infancy and the cells and panels that were made and sold in the 1970¡¯s are still in use. What will happen when cells are damaged and old? How will they be recycled or disposed of? These concerns are also expressed by The Solar Action Alliance.



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  • Dormant user Susmita Adhikari
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20 Comments

  • Ajaya Poudel says :
    Greetings Susmita,
    Everything comes with pros and cons. I think the pros outweigh the cons in the case of Solar power!
    Thanks for sharing,
    Regards,
    Ajaya Poudel
    Posted 20-04-2020 00:24

  • Sushma Sapkota says :
    Amazing , thanks for sharing
    Posted 31-03-2020 01:13

  • Jasmine Karki says :
    Greetings
    I do hope everything is going well..

    Thank you so much for sharing this report!!
    Keep writing and sharing!!

    Green cheers
    Regards
    Jasmine karki
    Posted 30-03-2020 19:30

  • Rachu Khanal says :
    Thanks for report
    Posted 26-03-2020 10:53

Prakriti  Ghimire

  • Prakriti Ghimire says :
    Hello sushmita
    Keep writing and shining
    Regards
    Prakriti Ghimire
    Posted 22-03-2020 14:03

  • Sarah Poudel says :
    Hello susmita
    Good report
    Keep writing

    Green cheers!!
    Posted 21-03-2020 22:55

  • Hema Sapkota says :
    Hello susmita
    I hope you are doing well!
    Nice report
    Keep writing
    Thank you so much for this report!

    Looking forward to reading some more reports.
    Green cheers!

    Best regards
    Hema
    Posted 19-03-2020 11:33

  • Aditi Neupane says :
    Nice Report Susmita
    Posted 18-03-2020 16:08

  • Meena Pandey says :
    Hello Susmita!!

    I hope you are fine and doing great.
    As Solar energy is perpetual sources of energy , it is really useful for us and it has a lot of impact on water energy too.

    Keep writing and shining.
    Hope to know more from you.

    Warm regards,
    Meena

    GREEN CHEERS
    Posted 16-03-2020 15:18

  • Pooja Gyawali says :
    Well written Susmita. Thank you for the information about Solar Power Usage.
    Best regards!!!
    Posted 16-03-2020 14:49

  • Shreya Aryal says :
    Hello Susmita,
    I hope you are good
    Thank you for sharing information about the photovaltic solar power and its eficiency.Its little drawbacks can be considered when so many benefits are seen.
    Thank you for your report.
    Keep Writing,
    Green Cheers:-)
    Posted 16-03-2020 10:27

  • Basanta Adhikari says :
    Greetings susmita
    I hope you are doing well

    Thank you so much for this report.
    I hope to read more from you.
    Keep up with great works
    Green cheers
    Regards
    Basanta
    Posted 16-03-2020 10:10

  • Horticulturist Susmita says :
    Greetings Susmita
    I hope you are doing well

    Good report
    Thank you so much for this report
    Keep writing
    Regards
    Sus
    Posted 15-03-2020 15:21

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