Green or not? Environmental challenges from photovoltaic technology
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Updated: Aug 14, 2025

In Situ Monitoring of the Accelerated Performance Degradation of Solar Cells and Modules: A Case Study for CuIn,GaSe2 Solar Cells
Published on: October 3, 2018
Haiyan Zhang1, Zhigang Yu1, Chengcheng Zhu1
1School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
Abstract:
The booming demands for energy and the drive towards low-carbon energy sources have prompted a worldwide emerging constructions of photovoltaic (PV) solar energy facilities. Compared with fossil-based electrical power system, PV solar energy has significantly lower pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. However, PV solar technology are not free of adverse environmental consequences such as biodiversity and habitat loss, climatic effects, resource consumption, and disposal of massive end-of-life PV panels. This review highlights the benefits and potential environmental impacts of implementing PV technologies. To the end, some proposals are recommended to improve this new technology's sustainability.
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