First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR) announced today that it has joined the Desertec Industrial Initiative as an Associated Partner.
First Solar is the first pure photovoltaic (PV) company to join the European led initiative.
Desertec wants to develop renewable energy production in the desert regions of Northern Africa and the Middle East for both local use and for exportation to Europe. It aims at meeting 15% of Europe’s energy needs, and a substantial part of the demand in Northern Africa and the Middle East, via concentrated solar plants and wind power by 2050.
As an Associated Partner of Desertec for an initial period of three
years, First Solar will contribute utility-scale PV expertise in
Desertec working groups and prepare the ground for reference projects
and a roll-out plan.
Desertec’s founders include ABB, Abengoa Solar, Cevital, Deutsche Bank, EON, HSH Nordbank, Muenchener Rueca, M+W Zander, RWE, Schott Solar, Siemens and Solar Millennium/MSM.
First Solar has already built utility-scale solar power plants in desert conditions in the United States and United Arab Emirates and is preparing the way for a 2-gigawatt solar power plant in Ordos City, Inner Mongolia.
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Desertec is a concept which will be proven with time. Starting with CdTe PV panels, however, is a step in the wrong direction, in my humble opinion.
CdTe PV panels are loaded with Cadmium–ferociously toxic, carcinogenic heavy metal–whose long term behavior and safe operation in large scale fields under desert sun exposure have not been properly tested nor decisively proven. Nor are there any attempts in that direction, that I’m aware of.
Covering thousands of acres with cheap, potentially toxic, CdTe panels, without proving their safe operation in LARGE SCALE fields during 25-30 years of continuous operation in DESERT areas, is ignorance and greed combined into one act of utmost negligence, the outcome of which somebody eventually will be held responsible for. Who will that be?
The US and world’s scientific communities must take a close look at the fragile CdTe/CdS thin films structure, the flimsy, frame-less panels design and their interaction with, and behavior under, the harsh desert elements for the duration BEFORE allowing millions of these panels without a relevant safety record to cover Earth’s surface.
It is our responsibility to ensure the safety of this and any other mass produced product with such great impact on environment and life in general!