Potential for leaching of heavy metals and metalloids from crystalline silicon photovoltaic systems

Abstract: Photovoltaics (PV) are a rapidly growing technology as global energy sectors shift towards “greener” solutions. Despite the clean energy benefits of solar power, photovoltaic panels and their structural support systems (e.g., cement) often contain several potentially toxic elements used in their construction. Determining whether these elements have the potential to leach into surrounding environments should be a research priority, as panels are already being implemented on a large scale. In this study, we analyzed soil taken from beneath photovoltaic modules to determine if they are being enriched by metals (lead, cadmium, lithium, strontium, nickel, barium, zinc, and copper) and metalloids (selenium) present in panel systems. The soil samples were collected from directly beneath c-Si photovoltaic modules and adjacent fields. Samples were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Selenium, strontium, lithium, nickel, and barium levels measured .... https://journals.ub.uni-koeln.de/index.php/JNRD/article/view/774

Object Details

• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Potential for leaching of heavy metals and metalloids from crystalline silicon photovoltaic systems ; volume:9 ; year:2019 ; Journal of natural resources and development ; 9 (2019)

Contributors, Places and Time

• Creator: A. Robinson, Seth ; Meindl, George A.

Further information

• DOI: 10.5027/jnrd.v9i0.02
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022053111510437796924
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
• Last update: 15.08.2025, 7:25 AM CEST