Sharp Solar takes lead on eco compliance
By Raphael Raggatt
Sharp Solar is leading the way for reducing environmentally harmful substances in the solar photovoltaics (PV) industry by ensuring that their NA series is now compliant with the European RoHS (Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical Equipment) Directive no. 2002/95/EC. Sharp has obtained this even though there is no political requirement due to renewable energy devices being exempt. However, this highlights the fact that the solar market is now becoming increasingly competitive, with companies striving to differentiate themselves from competitors.
As solar cells become more and more a part of society, due to incentives in many countries now driving the growth of microgeneration renewable energy systems, there will be a focus on the true environmental impact of producing these devices. Although crystalline silicon has dominated the solar PV market in the past decade, thin-film solar cells are now coming to the fore, with improving efficiencies and mass production techniques driving down the price per kWh.
However, one of the relatively unknown disadvantages of thin-film solar cells, in particular CdTe (cadmium telluride) cells is that they contain the highly toxic metal cadmium, which is actually banned by the RoHS regulation. The worry is that CdTe solar cells, once sold for domestic applications, are out of the manufacturer’s control, thus increasing the risk of potential damaging environmental impacts if released. However, for the moment, technologies for renewable energies are exempt from this EU environmental regulation.
Sharp’s thin-film cells on the other hand, are centred on using amorphous silicon, a relatively inert material, so do not fall into this category. Executive vice president Peter Thiele says, “We want our commitment to the environment to set an example worldwide. If efficient thin-film modules can be produced without heavy metals, it is a matter of course for us to do so.” Sharp has now anchored environmental protection and sustainability solidly into the company’s objectives on its way towards becoming an “environmentally advanced company.” This can be seen from the annual environmental and social report released by Sharp, which publishes the results and objectives of its activities in the context of its environmental strategy.
This confirms the competition is heating up in the solar PV market, with the current big manufacturers aiming to distinguish themselves from younger competitors by utilising the environmental factor. First Solar, the fastest growing thin-film manufacturer, is beginning to drive the global thin-film installed capacity, and the established silicon firms feel they must maintain their base on this material which has practically reached the limits of cost and efficiency. It will be interesting to see where the global solar PV market will be in 10 years’ time, both in terms of the material of choice and also the locations where the cells are produced.
As government subsidies gradually reduce over the years in developed countries, where will the main driver of solar technologies come from? The price reductions must be maintained as subsidies decline and this will only realistically be obtained with thin-film solar cells, as the main driver in the end is always the cost per kWh. As long as solar PV is able to reach grid parity within the next 10 to 15 years, which it is expected to do so, then the possible environmental factors from the materials could well be disregarded.
