Author : Sambeet Mishra, Sayed Majid Ali , D. P. Kothari and Pratyasha Tripathy

Once the use of environmentally sustainable practices is followed during the manufacture of solar cells, the unknown threat that the raw materials pose can be overruled. The toxic materials like Cadmium, Arsenic etc. are being used which although for the present seem to be good but are expected to have potential harmful effects in the future. Hence, it is the need of the hour to study these harmful effects and make an attempt to minimize and ultimately stop the use of such raw materials during the manufacture of the solar cells, by finding out an alternative better option. Apart from the raw materials used, there are many more other threats which are on the fence. So, it is wise to analyze each of those threats and finally act in a suitable way such that energy conversion and environmental sustainability go hand in hand. In order to achieve sustainability, some measures are to be taken up strictly. The prime focus towards achieving a sustainable future is by nullifying these harmful effects created by the solar panels, which efficiently convert solar energy into electricity. The individual type of solar panel is associated with its own merits and demerits, whether it is a mono-crystalline, polycrystalline, an amorphous or thin film solar panel. Although the solar panel possesses many advantages, still its loopholes cannot be neglected. Hence, some of the important measures have been noted down in this piece of research work to the best of our knowledge.

Keywords: Solar panel, toxicity, pollution, carbon footprint.

Article published in International Journal of Current  Engineering  and Technology, Vol.3,No.2 (June- 2013)