What Solar Panels Are Made Of
Standard crystalline silicon solar panels—the type used in almost all utility-scale projects—contain:
Glass
~75% of the panel. Same as windows, drinking glasses, and phone screens.
Aluminum
Frame and backing. Same metal as soda cans and cookware.
Silicon
The semiconductor cells. Silicon is sand—the second most abundant element in Earth's crust.
Copper & Silver
Wiring and contacts. Common metals used in all electronics.
None of these materials are toxic. You interact with all of them daily without concern.
What About Cadmium?
This is where confusion arises. Let's be clear:
Two Types of Solar Panels
- Crystalline silicon (95% of market) — Contains NO cadmium
- Thin-film CdTe (5% of market) — Contains cadmium telluride, but encapsulated
Utility-scale projects like Shepherd's Run use crystalline silicon panels, which contain no cadmium whatsoever.
Even Thin-Film Panels Are Safe
For the minority of panels that do contain cadmium telluride:
- The cadmium is chemically bonded to tellurium, forming a stable compound
- It's encapsulated between layers of glass
- It passes EPA TCLP tests for safe landfill disposal
- It doesn't leach under normal conditions or even when broken
Can Chemicals Leach Into Groundwater?
This concern is not supported by evidence:
- Solar panels are sealed units—no chemicals are released during operation
- There's no liquid in solar panels that could leak
- Rain doesn't interact with the active materials—they're behind glass
- Decades of field studies show no groundwater contamination from solar installations
"There is no evidence that solar panels have contaminated groundwater or soil in any documented case." — Environmental Protection Agency
Compare to What We Use Now
| Energy Source | Toxic Emissions/Waste |
|---|---|
| Solar panels | None during operation |
| Natural gas | CO2, NOx, methane leaks |
| Coal | Mercury, arsenic, lead, SO2, particulates, ash |
| Oil/diesel | CO2, particulates, spill risks |
| Nuclear | Radioactive waste |
Solar panels don't emit anything. The energy sources they replace produce toxic pollution every single day.
What About Manufacturing?
Solar panel manufacturing does involve chemicals, like any electronics manufacturing. But:
- Manufacturing happens in controlled industrial facilities with safety protocols
- The finished panels contain no hazardous materials that can escape
- Lifecycle analyses show solar has far lower total environmental impact than fossil fuels
Health Risks From Solar Farms?
There are no documented health impacts from living near solar farms:
- No emissions — Nothing is released into the air
- No noise — Panels are silent (inverters have minimal hum)
- No radiation — EMF levels are lower than household appliances
- No odors — Nothing to smell
The Real Toxic Threat
Right now, 48.7% of New York's electricity comes from burning natural gas. That produces real toxic emissions every day:
- Nitrogen oxides (respiratory harm)
- Carbon monoxide
- Fine particulates
- Methane leaks throughout the supply chain
Solar panels produce zero emissions while generating power. The "toxic solar" narrative distracts from the actual ongoing pollution from fossil fuels.