EC directive: RoHS
CdTe remains available for module production
In the past weeks, the ongoing debate over the environmental impact of Cadmium telluride (CdTe) has arisen in the European Parliament in the course of the amendment of the RoHS Directive (EC directive: Restriction of (the use of certain) hazardous substances). Currently, all solar modules are excluded from the RoHS directive. On June 2, 2010, the Environment Committee of the European Parliament recommended that the prohibition of Cadmium is still not valid for the photovoltaics industry and the so-called RoHS amendment is not extended to photovoltaics.
The lobbyist organization NTSA (Non-Toxic Solar Alliance e.V.) is determined to include solar modules in the RoHS directive. Several solar companies like REC, Bosch, and Solarworld made a similar demand in a statement to the EU commission on May 17, 2010. The lobbyists argued that CdTe was not controllable, and there was a danger of Cadmium leaking. Furthermore, it’s often suggested CdTe is as toxic as Cadmium. Nevertheless, there are no open studies supporting the possibility of potential dangers. All of the current arguments have been refuted by studies in detail:
The lobbyist organization NTSA (Non-Toxic Solar Alliance e.V.) is determined to include solar modules in the RoHS directive. Several solar companies like REC, Bosch, and Solarworld made a similar demand in a statement to the EU commission on May 17, 2010. The lobbyists argued that CdTe was not controllable, and there was a danger of Cadmium leaking. Furthermore, it’s often suggested CdTe is as toxic as Cadmium. Nevertheless, there are no open studies supporting the possibility of potential dangers. All of the current arguments have been refuted by studies in detail:
- CdTe solar modules are a practical use of Cadmium through renewable energy production.
- The CdTe compound is less hazardous than Cadmium alone.
- CdTe acts as a safe storage place for as long as 20 years, and Current research has found there to be no considerable emissions from Cadmium. In contrast, coal emits a significant amount of Cadmium during production.
