Photovoltaic panels contain germanium

Do solar panels contain arsenic or chromium?

Arsenic, gallium, germanium and hexavalent chromium, for example, have been listed as present in solar panels by several US state health department websites, despite the fact that the two dominant module technologies, which account for over 99% of the market, contain none of these materials.

Do solar panels contain cadmium?

The authors found no examples of solar panels for utility-scale development that contain arsenic, gallium, germanium or hexavalent chromium. A small share of panels contain trace amounts of cadmium, but this is a form of the metal that is stable and not a danger to human health.

Do PV modules contain arsenic chromium?

We have not found any evidence that either of these PV technologies contain arsenic, gallium, germanium, hexavalent chromium or perfluoroalkyl substances. Arsenic and gallium are used in only high-efficiency PV modules for aerospace applications. Germanium was once used in some amorphous silicon modules that were never produced at scale.

Was chromium used in solar panels in the 1970s?

Germanium was once used in some amorphous silicon modules that were never produced at scale. We cannot find any evidence that chromium was ever used in PV modules outside of laboratory cells in the 1970s. We believe that hexavalent chromium is listed because it was once used for plating chrome onto solar thermal water heaters (not photovoltaics).

Is cadmium in photovoltaic panels a problem?

The concerns are pervasive, but almost completely separate from reality. For example, one of the recurring issues raised against solar development is the presence of cadmium in photovoltaic panels.

What are Germany's new regulations on photovoltaics?

Germany has also revised its electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) regulations, requiring that all photovoltaic component manufacturers and importers register their products and assume obligations for end-of-life treatment; offenders will face huge fines.