Solar panels offset over 100 million tonnes of carbon emissions per year in the U.S. That’s the equivalent of 131 million acres of forest. There are many strong arguments for the use of solar. But what about the arguments against solar?
One of the biggest arguments against solar is that manufacturing solar panels consumes enough fossil fuels and creates enough pollution to offset the benefits of solar. It takes less than one barrel to produce one 300-watt solar panel.
Working out the cost to produce a solar panel is complicated due to the complex process and number of inputs involved in manufacturing a solar panel. In this article, we will explore as simply as possible what goes into making a solar panel.
More importantly, we will look at what impact solar panel manufacturing and solar panels themselves have on the environment. Are solar panels really a “clean technology”? Read on to find out.
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With a high conversion efficiency and foldable design, this solar panel is easy to transport and set up, making it perfect for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, and RV trips.
The US solar cell technology used in this panel ensures that you get the most efficient and reliable solar charging possible.
There is also a 60W option that is more affordable (Amazon Link)
Are Fossil Fuels Needed To Make Solar Panels?
Fossil fuels are used in every step of the manufacturing process of a solar panel. Heat and electricity generated by fossil fuel sources like coal and natural gas are used to fabricate a solar cell.
Making a solar panel is a complex process. First, the solar cell itself is made before it is assembled with the other components to make the final product. What exactly goes into a solar panel and what type of energy is used?
How is a solar panel made?
The most important part of a solar panel is the solar cell. This is what produces the energy in a solar panel. This is also the most energy-intensive stage in the manufacturing of a solar panel.
To produce a solar cell, you need a lot of heat. Most solar cells are made from silicon in a process that requires up to 2,570 degrees Fahrenheit or 1,410 degrees Celsius of heat. The heat is used to create the molten ingot from which silicon wafers will be cut.
Then you have the glass, aluminum, and plastic that are used to encapsulate the solar cells in a waterproof casing. This is the frame or housing that protects the solar cells inside from moisture or physical damage.
Amazingly, less than 5% of a solar panel’s weight is made up of solar cells.
The biggest component of a solar panel is the glass which takes up 90% of the weight in a solar panel. While it might be the smallest part of a solar panel, a solar cell takes up an immense amount of energy to produce.
Throughout the whole process of making a solar panel, electricity, and heat generated from fossil fuels are used.
Producing a solar cell requires heat. Silicon is crystalized at over 1,400 degrees Celsius to produce the silicon ingot that is then cut into a silicon wafer.
Silicon is the main ingredient in the production of 90% of solar panels. However, raw silicon is a poor conductor of electricity so it has to be “doped” or mixed with another substance to make it more conductive.
During the process of crystallizing, the silicon can also be doped at this stage. While the silicon is in molten form, impurities like boron or phosphorous are introduced to improve its conductivity. Source
Are Solar Panels Made With Oil?
Solar panels are not made directly using oil. Manufacturing solar panels involve the use of electricity. Most of the electricity used in power plants is generated from fossil fuels like coal or renewable sources like nuclear and hydroelectric power.
Oil may play a small indirect role in the production of a solar panel. Oil is used mostly for transportation. All the inputs in a solar panel have to be transported from where they are mined or manufactured.
In that sense, oil is used for solar panels. With that being said, however, oil and fossil fuels are a part of every manufacturing process, and solar panels are no exception.
How Much Pollution Does It Take To Make A Solar Panel?
Photovoltaics produce about 40-50 g CO2eq/kWh of greenhouse gas emissions throughout their lifecycle. Between 60 to 70% of that is from the manufacturing of a solar panel. That means making solar panels produces around 28 g CO2eq/kWh of carbon emissions.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory has a study comparing the emissions of different energy generation methods used in the U.S from coal, nuclear, and of course solar panels.
Renewable energy sources have among the lowest carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels. From the study, hydropower had the least emissions while coal had the highest.
| ENERGY SOURCE | EMISSIONS (g CO2eq/kWh) |
|---|---|
| Coal | 1,000 |
| Natural gas | 475 |
| Solar | 50 |
| Wind | 11 |
| Nuclear | 11 |
With solar panels, most of the emissions are from production or fabrication. That’s from the extraction of raw materials like silicon and the production of other materials like glass and aluminum used as components of a solar panel.
This is data from a 2014 study. Solar panels have improved in efficiency since then so the emissions now may likely be much less.
No technology can be completely carbon neutral. Solar cell production has a much lower carbon impact than fossil fuel production and the adoption of solar energy has the potential to offset carbon emissions more than any other technology.
How much pollution do solar panels prevent?
During its lifecycle, a solar panel will produce up to 25 times fewer carbon emissions than coal-generated electricity. The energy payback period of a solar panel is about 3 years depending on the technology used and how much energy it produces.
The energy payback period of a solar panel is how much time it takes for the solar panel to repay or produce the energy it cost to manufacture it. Source
As they require the most energy to produce, silicon solar panels like monocrystalline and polycrystalline are thought to have a longer energy payback period. Perovskite solar panels are a promising technology for solar panels.
Perovskite does not require intense heat or complex machinery to fabricate. If perovskite technology makes it to mass production, it will bring a cheaper, cleaner, and less energy-hungry solar panel.