Rare Earths In Solar Panels

And despite their name they aren t actually that rare at all.

Rare earths in solar panels. We ve found a new source for rare earth elements need green. It s just rare to find them in commercial grade ore. In 2011 the average price of rare earth metals shot up by as much as 750 percent. Using rare metals in solar panels.

However a lack of rare earths does not mean that the components of solar modules are harmless. Like many computer products from which solar panel technology is loosely derived solar energy systems often contain rare earths. Experts have found that the rare metals required to build solar panels such as indium and tellurium are not in sufficient supply to keep up with demand. 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.

There are 17 elements classified as rare earths. Currently marketed photovoltaic solar technologies do not use rare earths. Rare earths aren t really rare. 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.

Of the commonly used batteries only nickel metal hydride nimh batteries contain a rare earth alloy on the cathode but. Rare earths hasting technology metals signs third offtake agreement. If solar panels are so clean why do they produce much toxic waste. Thin film pv technologies for example contain potentially critical metals such as tellurium.