Solar

This page has information about Solar energy development — both industrial and residential. If you have questions about any of this, or have other material that should be included, or find any errors here, or would like to be on our email list, please email independent physicist John Droz. To keep current with what’s going on with related energy matters, please periodically check back here for updates.

Here is a quick Solar Primer… There are two general ways sunlight is converted into useful energy: passive and active. Passive refers to such actions as opening a window shade to let sunlight in to heat a room. Active uses mechanical devices to collect, store, convert, and distribute solar energy. This page will focus on Active conversions.

There are two main types of Active solar conversion: Photovoltaic and Thermal.

A Thermal system is based on directly using the heat generated by sunlight. In a home this heat can be used to warm water for residential use. In a larger utility scale operation (Concentrated Solar Power: CSP), solar heat is concentrated and collected and then can be used to drive a conventional steam generator — which produces electricity.

A Photovoltaic (PV) System directly converts sunlight into electricity using a process known as the photovoltaic effect. This is based on using a feature of materials known as semi-conductors. PV can be used from small applications (powering a calculator) to commercial electricity production.

Most of our discussion below relates to industrial solar, i.e. an Active conversion of sunlight into electricity (via PV or Thermal). The last section discusses some concerns of residential solar (which is typically on home roofs).

—> The Solar Plan of Action outlines what has been shown to be the most effective strategy for dealing with a proposed solar project. Please read it carefully and follow it closely. <—

[NC residents should check out our North Carolina Solar Page which includes proposed local model solar ordinances, as well as solar-related NC laws, proposed legislation, pertinent agencies, etc.]

Some Potential Solar Environmental Problems —

GenX/PFAS chemicals leeching into groundwater is a major concern. Here are a few sample links:

What are PFAS and Why are they a Problem?

PFAS: What Are the Health Effects?

PFAS chemicals in drinking water pose serious public health threat

EPA confirms GenX-related compounds used in solar panels

“PFAS in the Environment” identifies Solar Panels as a source

FluoroCouncil acknowledged solar panels have these chemicals

Solar panels could be a source of GenX and other perflourinated contaminants

GenX concerns cloud possible expansion of solar facility

Researchers have evidence that PFAS could harm an animal’s immune system

VA Solar Facility is Turning a Local River Brown

Citizen’s Research: 14 Serious Ecological Impacts of Solar

Additional Toxic materials in solar panels

Hazardous Materials Used in Solar Production: a Primer

The disposal of toxic solar waste is another major environmental problem:

The high toxicity of solar waste

Harvard Study: The Dark Side of Solar Power

Solar assets are ‘chronically underperforming’ and modules degrading faster than expected

The dark side of ‘green energy’ and its threat to the nation’s environment

Solar Energy Development Environmental Considerations

Death by solar farms: 71 species of birds killed, ‘entire food chains’ disrupted

Solar Project Killing Birds Wholesale

Birds Torched by Solar Project Test

Solar Farm: 800 degree heat frying birds in mid air

Stanford Study: Solar Projects Could Obliterate Unique Ecosystems

Solar thermal plants can consume twice the water as fossil fuel power plants

How Green Are Solar Panels?

Solar Facility Emits 46,000 Tons of CO2

Solar Property Value Impacts —

Note: Compared to industrial wind energy, solar is a relatively newer technology, so there are fewer studies on all of its environmental and economic consequences to a host community. Here are some studies on a solar project’s impacts on nearby home values: