Do solar panels really have a negative impact on the climate? 

Myth 1: Solar panel production leaves a large carbon footprint.

 

This is one of the most common arguments of sceptics. The production of solar panels does require some energy resources, in particular for the extraction and processing of silicon, the main material for the panels. However, it should be borne in mind that the energy costs of panel production pay off quite quickly. According to various estimates, one solar panel compensates for its carbon cost in 1-3 years after installation, depending on its location and efficiency. For example, according to a study by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, PV systems produced in Europe and installed in Northern Europe have a payback period of approximately 1.1 years, while PV systems installed in the South have a payback period of 0.9 years, depending on the installation technology and grid efficiency. As a result, during their life cycle, the panels produce ten times more energy than was spent on their manufacture. Thus, the service life of solar panels is more than 25 years, and some panels can operate for up to 30-40 years with a slight decrease in efficiency. This means that solar panels reduce carbon dioxide emissions and contribute to the transition to clean energy sources in the medium term. 

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Myth 2: Solar panels create more environmental problems than they solve 

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Another myth concerns the disposal of solar panels at the end of their life cycle. Some critics argue that due to the use of toxic materials such as lead or cadmium, recycling panels is difficult and dangerous. In fact, modern recycling technologies allow for the efficient disposal of more than 95% of solar panel components, including aluminium, glass and even silicon. In the European Union, the WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive) regulation requires manufacturers to organise the collection and recycling of used solar panels. This means that most of the materials are returned to circulation and used to produce new panels, which minimises the negative impact on the environment. France is one of the countries where solar panel recycling strategies are being actively implemented. Veolia, one of the leaders in the recycling industry, has built the world's first specialised solar panel recycling plant. The plant has the capacity to process up to 4000 tonnes of panels per year and returns up to 95% of useful materials such as glass and metals to the market. 

 

Myth 3: Solar panels are inefficient in temperate climates 

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There is a stereotype that solar panels can only be effective in sunny regions, such as North Africa or the Middle East, and that in temperate climates, such as Ukraine or Northern Europe, their efficiency is much lower. In fact, this statement is not true. Modern technologies allow solar panels to operate efficiently even in temperate regions where there is no constant sunlight. The panels are able to generate electricity even with diffuse light penetrating through the clouds. Moreover, solar panels work better in cooler weather, as high temperatures can reduce their performance. According to SolarPower Europe's EU solar market overview, the three «not-so-predictable» countries with the highest solar penetration are: The Netherlands, Germany and Denmark. These countries are the countries with the highest share of installed solar energy per capita, meaning that each citizen can count on 1,044, 816 and 675 watts of available capacity, respectively. The case of Denmark is of particular interest, as compared to 2021, this number has increased by 58.5%, putting the country in second place after Portugal. In addition, technologies such as solar tracking systems allow panels to focus on maximising the use of daylight throughout the year. 

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Myth 4: Solar energy cannot cover global electricity needs 

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Sceptics also often claim that even if solar energy is «clean», it will not be able to provide humanity with the necessary amount of electricity. However, in fact, solar energy has enormous potential: According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), solar power is projected to play a key role in global electricity generation over the next three decades, driven by the growing global use of renewable energy sources. In some regions, such as Southern Europe, Africa or Southeast Asia, solar energy has already become cheaper than traditional sources. In addition, the development of energy storage technologies, such as batteries, makes it possible to overcome the problem of uneven generation throughout the day or year. The popularity of solar energy has two reasons: the steady decline in PV prices and the speed of construction. For example, in Germany, the price of a typical rooftop PV system with a capacity of 10 to 100 kW in 1990 was about 14,000 euros/kW. At the end of 2023, such systems cost only 10% of the 1990 price. The experience curve, also called the learning curve, shows that over the past 43 years, the price of a module has decreased by 24.4% with each doubling of cumulative global module production. The cost reduction is due to economies of scale and technological improvements.