The use of photovoltaic cells as a means of clean and sustainable energy has been gaining popularity in recent years. For many people, they provide hope for reducing reliance on power plants that spew pollution and add to

the nuclear waste disposal problem. While there are numerous benefits to using solar panels, there are also

many downfalls. No matter what proponents would have you believe, photovoltaic panels are not necessarily the

warm and fuzzy solution to the world's clean energy crisis they've been made out to be.

Cost

The use of photovoltaic technology for practical purposes is still a relatively new concept and is not yet widely

employed. As a result, the cost of these panels is very high and they may be a struggle for the average earner to

afford. However, as they become more popular, the cost of purchasing and installing a photovoltaic system will

become more reasonable.

Pollution

Nothing ever lasts forever. Although photovoltaic panels are meant to last for about 15 to 20 years, they will

eventually need to be disposed of. All of that plastic will sit in a landfill and leach into the environment where it can

enter the food and water supply and cause health problems. Their manufacture and transportation will also

cause a significant amount of pollution. On top of that, these panels contain more than 50 known hazardous substances such as mercury, silicon tetrachloride, kerf nanoparticles, cadmium telluride, sulfur hexafluoride,

copper indium selenide and copper indium gallium.

Plastics also tend to give off gas toxins into the air when they are exposed to prolonged periods of heat, sun and

water.

Energy vs. Price

A study done by a group of Italian researchers has revealed that photovoltaic panels will actually end up

costing more money to buy and install than you will save over the course of their useful life. The amount of money that goes into producing them is an amazing 2.5 times the

amount of what generated power would cost have otherwise cost. This relegates photovoltaic panels to being

little more than a money drain.

Batteries

There seem to be many pollution issues plaguing solar energy and yet another is the heavy use of batteries. Panel arrays are hooked up to large banks of deep cycle batteries

similar to the ones used in cars. These batteries contain many dangerous chemicals such as lead, mercury and

lithium. They're prone to leakage, present disposal challenges and explosion concerns and produce hydrogen gas as a result of their function, not only that but batteries appropriate for use with solar systems are very expensive

and require rigorous maintenance.

Interference With Power Generation

Although solar power generation in cloudy areas is still feasible, there are other weather and environmental

factors that can hinder their efficiency. If air pollution is thick, adequate sunlight will be unable to penetrate it as

effectively and reach the panels' surface. High temperatures, like those experienced in sunny locations, can also lead to decreased power production. Once the

solar panels get between 95 and 107 degrees, power efficiency begins to go south.

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