Researchers to test long-term viability of solar panels – Binghamton University

Report on Sustainable Solar Energy Research and Development

1.0 Introduction: Aligning Solar Energy Growth with Sustainable Development Goals

The rapid expansion of solar energy generation is a critical component in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). The International Energy Agency projects that renewables could meet nearly half of global electricity demand by 2030. However, to ensure this transition is truly sustainable, the environmental lifecycle of solar technologies must be addressed. Research conducted at Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science is focused on mitigating potential negative environmental impacts of solar panels, thereby aligning the growth of renewable energy with broader sustainability objectives.

2.0 Research Mandate and SDG Alignment

With a $254,737 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, a multi-disciplinary research team is investigating the long-term stability and environmental effects of solar cells. The project’s core objectives are directly linked to several Sustainable Development Goals.

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) & SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): A primary concern is the use of lead in conventional solar panels. The research aims to prevent lead leakage into groundwater, a significant public health risk that undermines the goal of creating safe and sustainable living environments.
• SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): The project emphasizes the full lifecycle of solar panels, from manufacturing to end-of-life management. By focusing on material reduction, durability, and recycling, the research promotes sustainable production patterns and addresses the challenge of electronic waste.

3.0 Key Research Areas and Technological Innovation

The research is structured around three key areas of innovation, contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by developing resilient and sustainable energy infrastructure.

1. Development of Perovskite Solar Cells

   Professor Tara Dhakal is leading the development of perovskite solar cells as a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional silicon-based cells. The objective is to create a technology that uses significantly less lead, with a target reduction of 85%, while exploring viable lead-free alternatives that maintain high conductivity.

2. Accelerated Life and Durability Testing

   Professor Shuxia “Susan” Lu is conducting accelerated life testing to simulate 20-30 years of a solar panel’s operational life within weeks or months. This process is designed to:

   • Identify potential failure modes.
   • Investigate mechanisms of material degradation.
   • Assess the risk of pollutant leaching over the panel’s lifespan.
   • Optimize encapsulation processes to enhance durability and environmental safety, directly supporting SDG 12.

3. Advanced Monitoring with Autonomous Drone Systems

   To improve the maintenance and efficiency of large-scale solar farms, Associate Professor Yong Wang is developing an autonomous drone system. This innovation utilizes artificial intelligence and advanced thermal-imaging to detect up to 95% of operational problems. This enhances the reliability of clean energy infrastructure (SDG 7) and represents a significant technological advancement in the industry (SDG 9).

4.0 Collaborative Framework: Partnerships for the Goals

This research exemplifies SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by fostering collaboration between academia, government, and industry to achieve sustainable outcomes. The project involves key partnerships with:

• H.B. Fuller: A manufacturer of adhesive encapsulation materials, providing industry expertise to improve the physical protection of solar cells against environmental factors.
• Avangrid: An energy company and parent of NYSEG, ensuring the research findings are relevant and applicable to real-world energy production and distribution systems.

This collaborative model ensures that scientific advancements are translated into practical solutions that advance the global transition to a sustainable energy future.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly connects to this goal by highlighting the health risks associated with solar panel components. It states that “lead leakage into groundwater can cause numerous health issues, especially for children.” The research aims to mitigate these risks, thereby promoting well-being.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The concern about “lead leakage into groundwater” is a direct threat to water quality. The research’s focus on creating better encapsulation and more stable solar cells is aimed at preventing water contamination, which aligns with ensuring the availability of clean water.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  This is the central theme of the article. It begins by stating that “the rapid growth of solar energy generation puts renewables on track to meet almost half of global electricity demand by 2030.” The entire research project is focused on improving the sustainability of solar energy, a key source of clean energy.

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

  The article showcases innovation in the renewable energy industry. The development of “perovskite solar cells” as a replacement for silicon-based cells, the use of “drone technology” and “artificial intelligence” for monitoring solar farms, and the overall research funded by an EPA grant all exemplify efforts to build resilient infrastructure and foster sustainable industrial innovation.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The research addresses the entire life cycle of solar panels. It discusses the need to “take care of the end of use,” “recycle the precious metals,” and ensure proper encapsulation to prevent pollution during the panels’ operational life. This focus on minimizing waste and environmental impact aligns with sustainable production patterns.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  The article explicitly mentions the collaboration required to achieve these goals. The “Binghamton researchers will work with two industry partners,” H.B. Fuller and Avangrid, in a project funded by a government agency (the EPA). This public-private-academic partnership is a clear example of SDG 17 in action.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 3.9

  “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” The research’s primary goal is to prevent pollution from lead, a hazardous chemical, thereby reducing its potential health impacts.

• Target 6.3

  “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials…” The effort to create better encapsulation and reduce lead content in solar cells directly aims to minimize the release of hazardous materials into groundwater.

• Target 7.2

  “By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.” The article’s opening statement about renewables meeting “almost half of global electricity demand by 2030” directly relates to this target of increasing the share of clean energy.

• Target 9.5

  “Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors… encouraging innovation…” The $254,737 EPA grant for research into new perovskite solar cell technology and AI-powered drone monitoring is a direct investment in enhancing scientific research and innovation.

• Target 12.4

  “…achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle… and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil…” The focus on encapsulation, testing for leaching pollutants, and considering the “end of use” of panels demonstrates a commitment to managing the materials in solar cells throughout their life cycle.

• Target 12.5

  “By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.” The article mentions the desire to “recycle the precious metals” from solar panels at the end of their life, which is a key strategy for reducing waste generation.

• Target 17.17

  “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The collaboration between Binghamton University (academia), the EPA (public), and industry partners H.B. Fuller and Avangrid (private) is a direct implementation of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Share of renewable energy

  The article states that renewables are “on track to meet almost half of global electricity demand by 2030.” This percentage serves as a direct indicator for Target 7.2.

• Reduction in hazardous material use

  The new perovskite technology aims to “use 85% less lead than silicon cells.” This percentage reduction is a quantifiable indicator of progress towards minimizing the use of hazardous materials, relevant to Targets 3.9, 6.3, and 12.4.

• Investment in research and innovation

  The “$254,737 grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency” is a specific financial indicator of investment in research and development for sustainable technologies, relevant to Target 9.5.

• Product lifespan and durability

  The article mentions the current “life expectancy of a solar panel is 20 to 30 years.” The accelerated life testing aims to enhance durability, implying that an increased lifespan could be an indicator of more sustainable production and reduced waste (Target 12.5).

• Efficiency of monitoring and maintenance

  The goal for the AI-powered drone system to “detect 95% of problems with solar panels from the air” is a performance indicator for innovative infrastructure management, relevant to SDG 9.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: binghamton.edu