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The environmental, health, and safety implications of solar energy in central station power production

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  • Bezdek, Roger H.

Abstract

We compare the impact on greenhouse-gas emissions, environmental degradation, and human health and safety of solar energy systems with the nuclear and fossil-energy options. When all direct and indirect aspects of the different energy production and delivery systems are properly accounted for, we find the following: 1.(i) given current technologies, on a standardized energy unit basis, solar energy systems may initially cause more greenhouse-gas emissions and environmental degradation than do conventional nuclear and fossil-energy systems.2.(ii) An ambitious program to utilize solar energy systems in place of nuclear and fossil-fuel systems could, for the next 4 or 5 decades, actually increase environmental degradation. In addition, the production of materials for these technologies involves hazardous substances that must be handled cautiously to avoid environmental damage.3.(iii) In comparing solar energy systems with the conventional alternatives, it is important to recognize the substantial costs, hazardous wastes, and land-use issues associated with solar technologies.4.(iv) Based upon risk perceptions and current technologies, the health and safety risks of solar energy systems may be substantially larger than those associated with some fossil- and nuclear-energy resource options.

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  • Bezdek, Roger H., 1993. "The environmental, health, and safety implications of solar energy in central station power production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 18(6), pages 681-685.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:18:y:1993:i:6:p:681-685
    DOI: 10.1016/0360-5442(93)90046-G
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    Cited by:

    1. Cergibozan, Raif, 2022. "Renewable energy sources as a solution for energy security risk: Empirical evidence from OECD countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 617-626.
    2. Sovacool, Benjamin K. & Kryman, Matthew & Laine, Emily, 2015. "Profiling technological failure and disaster in the energy sector: A comparative analysis of historical energy accidents," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 2016-2027.
    3. Balash, Peter & Nichols, Christopher & Victor, Nadejda, 2013. "Multi-regional evaluation of the U.S. electricity sector under technology and policy uncertainties: Findings from MARKAL EPA9rUS modeling," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 47(2), pages 89-119.
    4. Aman, M.M. & Solangi, K.H. & Hossain, M.S. & Badarudin, A. & Jasmon, G.B. & Mokhlis, H. & Bakar, A.H.A. & Kazi, S.N, 2015. "A review of Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE) issues of solar energy system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1190-1204.
    5. Huesemann, Michael H., 2001. "Can pollution problems be effectively solved by environmental science and technology? An analysis of critical limitations," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 37(2), pages 271-287, May.
    6. Rafi Amir-Ud-Din, 2014. "From Energy Blues to Green Energy: Options Before Pakistan," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 53(4), pages 309-325.
    7. Dong, Changgui & Wiser, Ryan & Rai, Varun, 2018. "Incentive pass-through for residential solar systems in California," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 72(C), pages 154-165.
    8. Kamenopoulos, Sotiris N. & Tsoutsos, Theocharis, 2015. "Assessment of the safe operation and maintenance of photovoltaic systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(P2), pages 1633-1638.
    9. Scholtens, Bert & Boersen, Arieke, 2011. "Stocks and energy shocks: The impact of energy accidents on stock market value," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(3), pages 1698-1702.
    10. Aslam, Naveed & Yang, Wanping & Saeed, Rabia & Ullah, Fahim, 2024. "Energy transition as a solution for energy security risk: Empirical evidence from BRI countries," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    11. Abbasi, S. A. & Abbasi, Naseema, 2000. "The likely adverse environmental impacts of renewable energy sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 65(1-4), pages 121-144, April.
    12. Mirasgedis, S. & Diakoulaki, D. & Assimacopoulos, D., 1996. "Solar energy and the abatement of atmospheric emissions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 7(4), pages 329-338.
    13. Norton, Brian & Eames, Phillip C & Lo, Steve NG, 1998. "Full-energy-chain analysis of greenhouse gas emissions for solar thermal electric power generation systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 15(1), pages 131-136.

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