The Social Costs of Solar Energy: A Study of Photovoltaic Energy Systems covers issues of implementing a solar energy power source. Comprised of eight chapters, this book tackles several topics that are relevant to the use of solar energy as an alternative power source. The opening chapter is an introduction, which provides a review about solar energy. The succeeding chapters then cover the implications of implementing such technology, including the methodology, occupational risks, public health risks, environmental impacts, economic, and logistics challenges. This book will be of great interest to any readers concerned with the environmental, economic, and social repercussion of using solar energy.

Preface & Acknowledgments1. Introduction2. Methodological Issues Social Cost Allocation Incomparability and Social Values Substitution and Energy Interdependencies Indirect Social Costs3. Potential Risk Centers in Photovoltaic Technologies Silicon Cell Fabrication and Array Assembly Cadmium Sulfide Gallium Arsenide Utilization4. Occupational Safety and Health Impacts Occupational Safety Health Impacts Silicon Cell Fabrication and Array Assembly Cadmium Gallium Arsenide Installations Occupational Health Standards and Regulatory Changes5. Public Health Impacts Nature and Sources of Direct Impacts Comparability Assessment of Public Health Impacts Silicon: Materials and Emissions Silicon: Population Exposures and Health Effects Cadmium: Materials and Emissions Cadmium: Population Exposures and Health Effects Gallium Arsenide: Materials and Emissions Gallium Arsenide: Population Exposures and Health Effects Public Health Effects: Assessment Issues Overview of Direct Public Health Effects6. Environmental Impacts Land Use Thermal and Climatic Effects Emissions7. Indirect Impacts: Labor, Materials, and Energy Labor Materials Energy8. Summary and ConclusionsAppendix A: Modeling Public Exposures Release and Transport Model Silicon Cadmium Sulfide Gallium ArsenideIndexAbout the Author