Photovoltaic system configurations: an occupational health and safety assessment

There is an attempt to reduce CO2 emissions caused by the use of fossil fuel worldwide and the negative consequences of global warming. Thus, renewable energy systems (RES) are an alternative for reducing fossil fuel use. In addition to being environmentally friendly, it is also important to ensure safety, reliability, and sustainability in the resources and systems used to achieve targets to reduce CO2 emissions by increasing RES use. Solar energy systems have an important share in RES investments and their scope of use is becoming widespread. However, employment rates are also increasing. Hence, the issue of protecting employees also gains importance. Moreover, photovoltaic (PV) systems require an accurate risk management process with a holistic approach since the design phase. Therefore, occupational health and safety (OHS) studies should be seen as an integral part of the whole. In this study, regulations and standards related to OHS in PV systems have been investigated. Studies have been evaluated in terms of human health, environmental, and economic effects. Regulations vary according to countries’ energy policies. Therefore, solutions are offered with national approaches to global problems. In this respect, the arrangements made at the national level have been investigated in Turkey and field observations have been made from an OHS perspective. The aim of this study is to support a holistic approach to the hazards and risks in PV systems and the sustainability of the systems. In this regard, the need for an inclusive basic guide is emphasized and a contribution is made to proactive approaches. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.