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ArOnodrim t1_ja4qvt6 wrote

Reply to comment by Wrexem in The ultimate solar panels are coming: perovskites with 250% more efficiency by Renu_021

Which is close to silicon cells, making them roughly equal in power, but cheaper, lighter, and more functional, along with more dangerous because of the materials in them.

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Me_Krally t1_ja5pf7y wrote

Not an expert, but those typically mount to the roof so is the materials exposure dangerous to humans?

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ArOnodrim t1_ja5qxz3 wrote

They contain a certain very small amount of lead. It is stabilized in the cell, so exposure without destroying the cell is difficult, but any exposure to lead is...

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Me_Krally t1_ja6e6v3 wrote

Dangerous ;) But we've all probably been exposed to it by now.

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ArOnodrim t1_ja6jau6 wrote

It's heavy metal poisoning. It will make you sick forever. There is no safe level of lead to have ever had in your system.

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Me_Krally t1_ja8l2af wrote

I didn’t know that. I thought something like lead paint exposure was something that only caused an issue when initially exposed.

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marsrover001 t1_ja922c4 wrote

Think of it like asbestos, it's perfectly safe as long as you don't mess with it.

Don't lick the walls, or demolish one (making dust) and you are fine.

In regards to the solar panels, I'm sure manufacturing is mostly automated and since we know the hazards of lead very well I'm not concerned there.

From a consumer perspective the wafers are behind a sealed glass panel, you'll never touch them and they will never touch rain.

Recycling is same as manufacturing, we know the risks and can manage them well.

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Me_Krally t1_jab1v1o wrote

Very interesting. I didn’t know lead behaved similar to asbestos. Now I understand what you’re saying?

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