Rare Earths In Solar Panels

Thin cheap solar panels need tellurium which makes up a scant 0 0000001 percent of the earth s crust making it three times rarer than gold.

Rare earths in solar panels.

Thin film pv technologies for example contain potentially critical metals such as tellurium. Currently marketed photovoltaic solar technologies do not use rare earths. Using rare metals in solar panels. However recent research coming out of the netherlands has spotted a red flag to relying on solar panels as a panacea for global emissions problems.

There are 17 elements classified as rare earths. We ve found a new source for rare earth elements need green. Rare earths hasting technology metals signs third offtake agreement. And despite their name they aren t actually that rare at all.

Like many computer products from which solar panel technology is loosely derived solar energy systems often contain rare earths. In 2011 the average price of rare earth metals shot up by as much as 750 percent. It s just rare to find them in commercial grade ore. A new report by the french environment and energy management agency ademe shows that rare earth minerals are not widely used in solar energy and battery storage technologies.

However a lack of rare earths does not mean that the components of solar modules are harmless. Rare earths aren t really rare. Solar energy rare earths vietnam targets for and. If solar panels are so clean why do they produce much toxic waste.