Ship & Shore Environmental (S&SE), committed to managing and advising on the full spectrum of environmental requirements since 2000, today announced it has entered the solar energy market by providing pollution reduction solutions for solar panel manufacturers.
Solar technology is seen as one of the most promising solutions to power the world with clean energy and achieve net zero goals. However, manufacturing solar panels, which are the core component of solar power generation systems, can be a resource-intensive and hazardous process that is often overlooked by both industry participants and end users. Some of the potentially hazardous chemicals used in the manufacture of solar panels, if handled improperly, can contain cadmium and lead, as well as many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that pose threats to the environment and human health.
Although recycling can play a positive role in reducing waste and environmental impact, the cost of recycling remains the biggest hurdle in the process. A study shows As solar panel costs continue to decrease, system owners would prefer to replace their panels well ahead of their expected 20 to 30 year life cycle; Additionally, recycling a panel can cost 10x to 30x more than sending it to a landfill.
More advanced and cost-effective panel recycling technologies are still being developed. In the meantime, “Waste regulations have not caught up with demand and volume in solar panel manufacturing,” said Anoosheh Oskouian, CEO of Ship & Shore Environmental.
However, minimizing the environmental impact associated with the manufacturing processes of panels is currently recognized as a practical and efficient measure.
“There are so many environmental and financial incentives for companies to develop and implement cost-effective solutions to reduce pollution in their manufacturing. Cleaner production now will also help make future solar panel recycling safer and more affordable,” Oskouian said.
The Anti-Inflation Act contains several financial incentives, including the extension of tax credits for solar installations and the creation of new tax credits for power generation plants that are assumed to have an annual sub-zero greenhouse gas emissions rate.
S&SE provides pollution control services including consulting, custom design, manufacturing and on-site deployment of new and retrofit equipment. For the solar industry, the company’s regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) are designed to capture and/or treat the various chemicals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) inherent in the manufacture of solar panels.
By combining technologies to reduce pollution, manufacturers can “deliver the panels needed for this clean energy in a healthier, more forward-thinking way and are more likely to qualify for government incentives,” Oskouian commented.