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The quiet underside of going green

Delaware Online -- Homeowners on the hunt for sparkling solar panels are lured by ads filled with images of pristine landscapes and bright sunshine, and words about the technology’s benefits for the environment – and the wallet.

What customers may not know is that there’s a dirtier side.

While solar is a far less polluting energy source than coal or natural gas, many panel makers nevertheless are grappling with a hazardous waste problem. Fueled partly by billions in government incentives, the industry is creating millions of solar panels each year and, in the process, millions of pounds of polluted sludge and contaminated water.

To dispose of the material, the companies must transport it by truck or rail far from their own plants to waste facilities hundreds and, in some cases, thousands of miles away.

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Submitted Feb 17, 2013 By: EZExit

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tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,931 Points:2,342,585 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 2, 2013 12:51:27 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse The quiet underside of going green, solar panels maybe 'green' but the underside has its problems. Producing solar panels requires exotic elements, heavy metals and strong greenhouse gases that are much stronger than CO2 or methane will ever be. Properly taking care of waste materials are necessary to ensure non polluted land and a cleaner environment. Do the right thing! Fracking and oil spills as a result of production and are in the same area...... I remember many articles that said there were different manufacturing techniques that did not use 'dirty' materials and produced solar panels without all the 'bad' stuff. Drive vehicles with high MPG, are very safe, reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. The price of fuel at the pump is too high!
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 5:56:26 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse one must also remember that almost all goods purchased in the US (not including food or fuel) is manufactured in China. The environmental conditions there are much worse and the US buyers fuel the environmental contamination w/ the demand for cheaper and cheaper products.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,590 Points:1,606,595 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 6:59:31 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse anytime money can be syphoned off w/ work, some crook will find a way to do it. Sadly, it's human nature.
teenitup Champion Author Houston Posts:1,609 Points:246,910 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 11:57:14 AM Ignore teenitup Report Abuse Filthy business it would appear.
drpepperTX Champion Author Texas Posts:8,929 Points:749,935 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 9:58:32 AM Ignore drpepperTX Report Abuse The key thing to remember here is that there are those that will defend solar in the most hypocritical of ways. As the article points out, "Fueled partly by billions in government incentives, the industry is creating millions of solar panels each year and, in the process, millions of pounds of polluted sludge and contaminated water." And, "The waste from manufacturing has raised concerns within the industry, which fears that the problem, if left unchecked, could undermine solar’s green image at a time when companies are facing stiff competition from each other and from low-cost panel manufacturers from China and elsewhere." You see, the solar manufacturing industry itself fears this dirty side getting any mainstream news coverage. "New companies often send hazardous waste out of their plants because they have not yet invested in on-site treatment equipment, which allows them to recycle some waste." Why not? Greed perhaps? Or just not caring about containment and proper disposal because making a profit creating these toxic chemical soups? "Several solar energy experts said they have not calculated the industry’s total waste and were surprised at what the records showed. Solyndra, the now-defunct solar company that received $535 million in guaranteed federal loans, reported producing about 12.5 million pounds of hazardous waste, much of it carcinogenic cadmium-contaminated water, which was sent to waste facilities from 2007 through mid-2011." Yes, but we must overlook these facts and be good little green fanatics. "Life cycle analysts add up all the global warming pollution that goes into making a certain product – from the mining needed for components to the exhaust from diesel trucks used to transport waste and materials. Not factoring the hazardous waste transport into solar’s carbon footprint is an obvious oversight, analysts said. “The greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting this waste is not insignificant,” Mulvaney said. Mulvaney noted that shipping, for example, 6.2 million pounds of waste by heavy-duty tractor-trailer from Fremont, Calif., in the San Francisco Bay area, to a site 1,800 miles away could add 5 percent to a particular product’s carbon footprint." Interesting in that we keep hearing that solar is "free" energy. Looks like according to the global warming alarmists it's not so free. But we already know that nothing is free. And finally, "The Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition, a watchdog group created in 1982 in response to severe environmental problems associated with the valley’s electronics industry, is now trying to keep the solar industry from making similar mistakes through a voluntary waste reporting “scorecard.” So far, only 14 of 114 companies contacted have replied." Why the secrecy? What do they fear from transparency? What are they really hiding? These are the questions and what really is to be taken from this article.
Skunk63 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:2,546 Points:555,550 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 7:30:29 AM Ignore Skunk63 Report Abuse So green is the new brown?
WEB0153 All-Star Author Maryland Posts:784 Points:152,950 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 5:23:56 AM Ignore WEB0153 Report Abuse ok
JohnLM Champion Author Orlando Posts:1,036 Points:527,280 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 5:21:37 AM Ignore JohnLM Report Abuse The lefties tend to be about feel good ideas that have little chance of succeeding, but when problems come up they blame them on others or dismiss them as not a big deal.
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:5,169 Points:1,114,820 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Feb 18, 2013 4:44:26 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse 2 sides to everything.
unicornpmb Champion Author Buffalo Posts:8,476 Points:1,626,590 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:50:59 PM Ignore unicornpmb Report Abuse Good to know.
BeulahME Champion Author Maine Posts:1,106 Points:443,840 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:50:33 PM Ignore BeulahME Report Abuse Green is not always Green.
RickF350 Champion Author Washington Posts:3,408 Points:705,050 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:47:43 PM Ignore RickF350 Report Abuse I have a solar light in the back yard, it hasn't worked all winter.
10k Champion Author North Carolina Posts:21,226 Points:2,251,095 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:45:13 PM Ignore 10k Report Abuse there is no quiet underside of going green-just like ethanol, it's screaming loud and long, but nobody's doing a darn thing about it..
humblepie Champion Author Toledo Posts:34,086 Points:2,368,445 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:44:59 PM Ignore humblepie Report Abuse solar, fowling the earth for years to come
yonasb Champion Author Houston Posts:3,463 Points:736,125 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:44:49 PM Ignore yonasb Report Abuse old
GLCSHADOW Champion Author Oregon Posts:1,616 Points:1,883,710 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:42:10 PM Ignore GLCSHADOW Report Abuse Everything has a downside.
76chevy Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,983 Points:769,275 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:37:59 PM Ignore 76chevy Report Abuse We can't all be perfect like you jrsva. Seems you are also against free speech. http://www.nationaljournal.com/dailyfray/the-extent-of-obama-39-s-solyndra-problem-20110902 Sorry to tarnish the image of your hero. Not even a mention of FNC. Now maybe ABC news is in the same category as FNC to you. If FNC is so bad or wrong why doesn't some other network document this? If you don't want to know what is really going on your doing a good job. And perfect what I will not say.
KrsnaDragon Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,392 Points:528,375 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:35:35 PM Ignore KrsnaDragon Report Abuse Old 'news'.
jcdakota Champion Author Baltimore Posts:1,347 Points:361,345 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:31:58 PM Ignore jcdakota Report Abuse Old news.
bell013 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:515 Points:99,205 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:29:51 PM Ignore bell013 Report Abuse Old news.
kgbellman Champion Author Ann Arbor Posts:2,698 Points:728,915 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:26:35 PM Ignore kgbellman Report Abuse repeat - but many don't think of the waste from manufacturing
tedjm1 Champion Author New York Posts:5,609 Points:800,300 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:26:19 PM Ignore tedjm1 Report Abuse Takes nup too much space tobe worthwhile.
wayoung56 Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,785 Points:815,310 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:25:22 PM Ignore wayoung56 Report Abuse Hmmm...
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,610,075 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:24:47 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse 76chevy, exactly what sort of “Federal loads” did Solyndra receive in return for “campaing funds”? Gossip is undocumented chatter. Facts come with source references so others can verify them. Got any references? And don’t quote Faux Noise.
Cableman66 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:2,100 Points:487,995 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:22:29 PM Ignore Cableman66 Report Abuse Old news.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,610,075 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:19:42 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse “And speaking of drivel . . . I see that @clermont40miles has graced us with a comment.” I put him on Ignore years ago. Gotta keep the old blood pressure in check.
stratlinetime Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:2,266 Points:560,910 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:18:56 PM Ignore stratlinetime Report Abuse Old article
Bigwaynef Champion Author South Carolina Posts:11,451 Points:2,077,835 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:18:22 PM Ignore Bigwaynef Report Abuse Just don't do green, it's bad for ya...
crreed1 Champion Author West Virginia Posts:1,970 Points:2,523,410 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:17:13 PM Ignore crreed1 Report Abuse old news
76chevy Champion Author Toledo Posts:3,983 Points:769,275 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:16:50 PM Ignore 76chevy Report Abuse Facts...hmmm....we know that Solyndra received Federal loads and special consideration for investors to recover their money back after members of Solyndra's management arranged bundling campaing funds for obama. FACT.
bridgerunner Champion Author Virginia Posts:4,772 Points:1,003,160 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:16:10 PM Ignore bridgerunner Report Abuse I don't trust them.
GRUMPY55 Champion Author California Posts:1,619 Points:421,450 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:15:37 PM Ignore GRUMPY55 Report Abuse Too expensive
bell05 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,240 Points:1,872,935 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:15:14 PM Ignore bell05 Report Abuse old news
boatfloyd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:1,703 Points:385,050 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:15:06 PM Ignore boatfloyd Report Abuse Everything cost money.
jrsva Champion Author Virginia Posts:9,835 Points:1,610,075 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:14:45 PM Ignore jrsva Report Abuse Why in the world would anyone ship hazardous waste from California to Rhode Island? Or to Minnesota or Arkansas for that matter. Factories in CA should deal properly with their waste materials nearby. At least most plants are dealing with them, not polluting air and water.
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,329 Points:894,610 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:14:13 PM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse Interesting.
mcbrownie220 Sophomore Author Toledo Posts:225 Points:151,375 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:13:45 PM Ignore mcbrownie220 Report Abuse ok
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,776 Points:410,315 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:12:55 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Here's what you need to know after reading this article: "The roughly 20-year life of a solar panel makes it some of the cleanest energy technology available. Energy derived from natural gas and coal-fired power plants, for example, creates more than 10 times more hazardous waste than the same energy created by a solar panel, according to Mulvaney. The U.S. solar industry said it is reporting its waste, and sending it to approved storage facilities – thus keeping it out of the nation’s air and water. A coal-fired power plant, in contrast, sends mercury, cadmium and other toxins directly into the air, which pollutes water and land around the facility." Unfortunately, it was on the last page of the four-page article. I don't know how many people read that far.
yyc2yow All-Star Author Ottawa Posts:636 Points:567,310 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:12:52 PM Ignore yyc2yow Report Abuse $$$$$$$
PrinceLH Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,677 Points:535,120 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:12:26 PM Ignore PrinceLH Report Abuse Green is too expensive!
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,604 Points:1,539,490 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:12:18 PM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse That will increase the cost of already over priced solar panels.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,776 Points:410,315 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:12:04 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse @judgemobile, if you don't have any facts to back up your baseless claims, it's better for you to just write, "Ok."
pa79th Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,762 Points:1,212,850 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:12:03 PM Ignore pa79th Report Abuse Old news leftover from yesterday!
regout Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,935 Points:828,705 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:11:52 PM Ignore regout Report Abuse Old green news.
Tigercat88 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,182 Points:613,940 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:10:37 PM Ignore Tigercat88 Report Abuse Green is not GOOD.
Math6149 All-Star Author Jacksonville Posts:873 Points:1,793,750 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:10:13 PM Ignore Math6149 Report Abuse Looks good to the Democrates/
Glock26 Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,514 Points:630,435 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:08:40 PM Ignore Glock26 Report Abuse Old News!!!
cheaper0ON All-Star Author Ontario Posts:968 Points:395,130 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:07:35 PM Ignore cheaper0ON Report Abuse Old news.
judgemobile Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,555 Points:2,442,210 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:06:28 PM Ignore judgemobile Report Abuse Bummer does not want USA energy independent
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,976 Points:1,109,385 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Feb 17, 2013 11:05:44 PM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse I'm all for Solar on every roof top... Solar panels for homes have been around 30 or 40 years now??? But why the prices never come down so home owners can afford them is beyond me...