Good overview about health aspects of solar energy, and how to get the most advantages.

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For complete information on everything solar, and to learn more about solar energy, visit
http://solar-panel-s.com/2011/12/about-solar-energy
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Solar energy is a potential source of free electricity and water heating. It offers the power to enjoy
electrical power in remote areas of the world. It seems to offer health and safety along with power,
but does it?
Solar energy health risks are seldom mentioned. That may be partially due to the limited use of
this source of energy. It may also be due to the lack of research in this area. Some have begun to
study solar energy health risks, however, and if one researches long enough, a few estimates are
available.
Thermal Solar Energy Health Risks
Solar energy health risks are inherent to the design and installation of most thermal energy
systems. These are the systems designed to heat water and air for household use.
Solar water heaters complete three basic operations before delivering hot water to your faucet or
your heating unit:
1. collect sunlight and convert it into heat energy.
2. circulate fluids that transfer the heat energy to a storage unit
3. store the hot water until you need it
The solar energy health risks with such a system usually occur in the storage units. Some units
allow for the growth of allergenic molds and fungi.
If proper materials are used for the storage unit, however, these solar energy systems present
few, if any, health risks. Their advantages are that they are far safer than most fossil fuels or
nuclear power - they have no emissions and do not pollute the air.
PV Panel Solar Energy Health Risks
The solar energy health risks associated with photovoltaic (PV) panels occurs before the panels
are put into use on the consumer's home. PV panels are the panels used to collect solar energy
from sunlight and convert it into usable electricity.
The manufacture of PV panels requires the use of toxic materials. Silicon dioxide is mined from
sand or quartzite and reduced with heat to pure silicon. Materials released during refining are the
main health risks. Several steps in forming the photovoltaic cells utilize toxic materials. These are

2. sprayed on the cells, and can readily be inhaled.
It is estimated that solar energy health risks associated with producing PV panels per unit energy
may be between 11 and 21 deaths per quadrillion joules of energy produced.
Solar energy health risks from PV panels are very slight once the panels are produced and
installed on the consumer's home. This type of solar energy is known for reliability and low
maintenance. The home owner seldom needs to be involved in any repairs, and thereby cuts solar
energy health risks.
Passive Solar Energy Health Risks
Passive solar energy provides safety and health. A new building that maximizes this technology
can reduce energy costs by nearly one half. How?
1. Warming indoor air in a house through vertical, slanted windows facing the sun. The windows
capture maximum solar energy from the sunlight.
2. Collecting solar energy in adobe or stone walls and floors, and then releasing it into the air as
the temperature falls.
3. Collecting solar energy in a sun space, much like a greenhouse built on the sunny side of the
home. This heat is sent into the home with proper ventilation.
4. Holding water in black roof tanks until needed, cutting the working time of the home's hot water
heater.
5. Using clerestories - rows of windows near roof peaks that catch sunlight and bounce it through
the building. The sunlight reduces the need for electric lights.
In Summary
Solar energy technologies present few, if any, health risks for the end user. Their use can reduce
the health risks presented by other energy sources, providing cleaner, safer, more cost effective
energy.
© 2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart, a career educator and researcher, invites you to read more of her
articles about solar energy at http://www.solar-energy-connection.com. Anna has also posted
articles on that site about solar homes. If you would like information about acquiring a solar home
building grant, visit Anna now.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Hart

3. ==== ====
For complete information on everything solar, and to learn more about solar energy, visit
http://solar-panel-s.com/2011/12/about-solar-energy
==== ====