Solar energy is hailed as the savior of mankind from the impending doom of global warming and along with hydrogen powered fuel cells, it’s solar energy that is expected to cater our energy needs in the centuries to come.

Many European countries and states like California have a very aggressive solar energy program and are riding high on the golden wings of solar power. But how safe is this path in the long term? How much damage does solar energy cause to the planet? Surely, solar energy is all green a d 100% planet-friendly, right? Well, WRONG, say the experts following it closely.

A report released by the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition warns the solar industry that it could face an e-waste problem head on and is risking “repeating the mistakes made by the microelectronics industry.”

According to the SVTC, there is plenty of toxic waste that is being released by solar industry, which is going unnoticed under the radar. We are so happy about the clean results that we “neglect” to see the underlying danger. Silicon tetrachloride, for example, is a by-product that makes land unsuitable for growing crops. For each ton of polysilicon produced by the solar industry for its solar panels, four tons of silicon tetrachloride is generated! Imagine …

Surely this report will not slow down the wave of solar energy that is just starting to spread across the globe, but SVTC advises to take note and tone down on the toxicity of the products used and to use high quality chemicals despite them being a tad bit more costly. Also recommended are ‘Takeback Programs’ where manufacturers are supposed to take back their products when they are done. However, this looks unlikely with the long lifespan of the panels and the change in technologies by that time.

While there is no need to sound the alarm bells yet (or is it?), it is important to realize and understand that solar energy is not as clean as it made out to be.

What do you guys think?

Image courtesy of clownfish

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Solar energy is making such giant strides forward that it would be no surprise if in the next decade or so we all completely convert to solar power. For now though, each day is proving to be a new adventure for those working with and following the power of the sun.

The new arena that is being touched by solar power is the field of submarines as Swiss company BKW is all set to build the world’s first solar powered submarine.

Spending most of the time underneath the water, it won’t sport solar panels itself, but the docking station will. It will feature 30kW solar panels that will fully recharge the submarine’s batteries while docked.  Dubbed Project Goldfish, the submarine will be capable of carrying 20-30 passengers and two crew members, at a depth of up to 300 meters across Lake Thun in the Swiss Alps.

When required, the solar platform will be automatically hooked up with the sub via GPS.  There’s also a zero-emission solar-powered shuttle that will  ferry passengers to and from the shore and the boarding platform, making it completely eco-friendly trip.

The project is expected to be operational by 2012. – via CleanTechnica

Pope Benedict has become the first ever Pontiff to be using solar power as an energy source for the Vatican. The Pope VI auditorium, which is used by the Pope to meet the pilgrims in bad weather conditions, will have 2,700 solar panels replacing the original roofs.

The $1.5 million panels were gifted to the Pope by a Bonn-based company called Solar World and according to its engineers, these photovoltaic panels will trap solar power to generate enough electricity to light, heat or cool the 6,600 seat auditorium.

Pope Benedict XVI, ever since he was elected in 2005, has been against the excessive use of power resources. He has the notion that this environment hazard is making the lives of poor people miserable.

The small “plant” will cut down on 200 tons of carbon dioxide which is equivalent to 70 tons of oil, and when the hall is not being used, the power will be stored in the Vatican’s power network. We’ll throw in a white ball for the Pope and his green initiatives. – via BBC.co.uk

Ah, this is something Japan knows how to do, and do well. Research.

Sharp Corp. Sanyo Electric Co. and 15 other companies has joined forces with Gifu University to conduct research on nanocrystalline silicon, a promising material for highly energy-efficient thin-film solar cells.

The consortium will

1. explore the nanocrystalline silicon as the next-generation photovoltaic material = solar cell. Japan is a leader in solar cells and wants to pull far ahead.
2. analyze the properties of nanocrystalline silicon
3. collect the kinds of basic data needed to develop solar cell materials
4. use a scanning probe microscopes to observe electron movements in the silicon when the material is exposed to light
5. study unknown phenomena taking place on the surface of the silicon thin film
6. create a device to use for quick, objective evaluations during the product development process.

In the end, cheaper and more efficiently made and higher quality products, if Japan does what Japan does best.

Image courtesy of brixton

Class, what is the biggest single-roof solar installation in North-America? “Toyota’s” everyone says out loud.

The Japanese from Toyota decided they need to be greener so they installed 242,000 sqf of solar panels above their North America Parts Center California (NAPCC) manufacturing plant. That’s a lot of roof that’s going to get the sun’s energy and make electricity out of it. Not sure if you’re familiar with the figures, but the 10,417 solar modules that SunPower installed, have a total capacity of 2.3 megawatts, will cover for 60% of the factory’s energy needs and is expected to avoid some 6.4 million pounds of CO2 emissions per year.

I’m curious though. Who’ll wash the roof from now on, because to ensure maximum power it has to stay clean. And that thing is bigger than 4 football fields …

In their press release, Toyota said:

“NAPCC electricity costs per kilowatt-hour have increased 266 percent since 1992. Facility energy conservation efforts have reduced electricity usage by 28.5 percent during the past five years, but annual electricity use still remains over 5,788,000 kilowatt-hours.

The system was designed and built by SunPower, using its high-efficiency panels that deliver 50 percent more power per unit than conventional panels. A lightweight state-of-the-art SunPower mounting system further maximizes power delivery.”

They sure have a great deal here, but my concern is .. who’ll break that “record” in North America and who? Place your bets!

via TreeHugger

It may sound weird, but a new bill in Hawaii was signed into law by Republican Governor, Linda Lingle. It refers to new homes and says that no building permits will be issued unless the new homes don’t include solar water heaters. However, there will be exceptions to the rule, for example if the area doesn’t allow too much sunshine.

Image by Rich Lem

Presented five years ago by State Sen. Gary Hooser, vice chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee, when the oil barrel was costing a mere $40, Hawaii is the first state to take such decision.

Judging on the state’s dependency on imported fossil fuels which is higher than any other state, it seems like a very good choice.

“It’s abundantly clear that we need to take some serious action to protect Hawaii because we’re so dependent on oil,” Hooser said. “I’m very pleased the governor is recognizing the importance of this bill and the huge public benefits that come out of it.”

Though the energy-saving systems are a great solution to a greener environment and because of the high oil prices, I’d be very interested to know if there will be any incentives for those that install their rooftop solar panels or is it just “law enforcement”? I’m tempted to say Good Job Hawaii! Do you?