Rare Earths In Solar Panels

There are 17 elements classified as rare earths.

Rare earths in solar panels.

Like many computer products from which solar panel technology is loosely derived solar energy systems often contain rare earths. However a lack of rare earths does not mean that the components of solar modules are harmless. 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.

If solar panels are so clean why do they produce much toxic waste. Of the commonly used batteries only nickel metal hydride nimh batteries contain a rare earth alloy on the cathode but. 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. Rare earths aren t really rare.

Using rare metals in solar panels. Currently marketed photovoltaic solar technologies do not use rare earths. Rare earths hasting technology metals signs third offtake agreement. Thin film pv technologies for example contain potentially critical metals such as tellurium.

High performance batteries need lithium which is only easily extracted from briny pools in the andes. In 2011 the average price of rare earth metals shot up by as much as 750 percent. Solar energy rare earths vietnam targets for and. 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.