Abstract
As CdTe photovoltaics reached commercialization, questions have been raised about potential cadmium emissions from CdTe PV modules. Some have attacked the CdTe PV technology as unavoidably polluting the environment, and made comparisons of hypothetical emissions from PV modules to cadmium emissions from coal fired power plants. This paper gives an overview of the technical issues pertinent tothese questions and further explores the potential of EHS risks during production, use and decommissioning of CdTe PV modules. The following issues are discussed: (a) The physical and toxicological properties of CdTe, (b) comparisons of Cd use in CdTe PV with its use in other technologies and products, and the (c) the possibility of CdTe releases from PV modules.
| Original language | American English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 6 |
| State | Published - 2003 |
| Event | National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV) and Solar Program Review Meeting - Denver, Colorado Duration: 24 Mar 2003 → 26 Mar 2003 |
Conference
| Conference | National Center for Photovoltaics (NCPV) and Solar Program Review Meeting |
|---|---|
| City | Denver, Colorado |
| Period | 24/03/03 → 26/03/03 |
NREL Publication Number
- NREL/CP-520-33561
Keywords
- cadmium telluride (CdTe) photovoltaic solar cells modules
- Environment, Safety, and Health (ESH)
- manufacturing
- solar cells
- thin films
