2:Discuss the economics and environmental considerations with PV systems.

70.2K

Verified Solution

Question

Civil Engineering

2:Discuss the economics and environmental considerations with PVsystems.

Answer & Explanation Solved by verified expert

4.2 Ratings (503 Votes)

Answer Solar photovoltaic systems commonly referred to as solar PV systems convert sunlight directly into electricity This is different to the solar thermal collectors for solar water heaters A solar PV system can help reduce carbon emissions and your electricity bill by producing sustainable electricity from the sun instead of burning fossil fuels Economic and Environmental aspects are two main vital factors which are assessed for any PV project Following are the key points which are considered in both the aspects Environmental impact and safety The environmental impact of photovoltaic energy is probably among the lowest of all electricity generating systems This is because In normal operation PV energy systems emit no gaseous or liquid pollutants and no radioactive substances Crystalline silicon PV cells contain only minuscule quantities of dopants such as boron and phosphorus However CIS or CdTe modules include very small quantities of indium cadmium and tellurium so there is a slight risk that a fire in an array might cause small amounts of toxic material containing these elements to be released into the environment and it is important that these cells are properly recycled at the end of their working life PV modules have no moving parts so they are also safe in the mechanical sense and they emit no noise The electrical hazards of a wellengineered PV system are no greater than those of other comparable electrical installations PV arrays do of course have some visual impact Rooftop arrays will normally be visible to neighbours and may or may not be regarded as attractive according to aesthetic tastes Several companies have produced special PV modules in the form of roof tiles that blend into roof structures more unobtrusively than conventional module designs PV arrays on buildings require no additional land but large multimegawatt PV arrays will usually be installed on land specially designated for the purpose and this will entail some visual impact Environmental impact and safety of PV production The environmental impact of manufacturing silicon PV cells is unlikely to be significant except in the unlikely event of a major accident at a manufacturing plant The majority of PV cells are made from silicon which is not intrinsically harmful although it is important that workers not be exposed to dust produced during the manufacturing process The chemicals used in silicon production must also be treated with care Silane gas SiH4 from which pure silicon is See Answer

Get Answers to Unlimited Questions

Join us to gain access to millions of questions and expert answers. Enjoy exclusive benefits tailored just for you!

Membership Benefits:

Unlimited Question Access with detailed Answers
Zin AI - 3 Million Words
10 Dall-E 3 Images
20 Plot Generations
Conversation with Dialogue Memory
No Ads, Ever!
Access to Our Best AI Platform: Flex AI - Your personal assistant for all your inquiries!

Become a Member