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Managing Growth

The Well-Researched Reality of Environmental Concerns

Tuesday, September 12, 2023
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM PDT
Location: Veronese 2401A, Level 2, The Venetian
Solar Storage

Learning Level: 201: Applies to those with some experience who are looking to build on or enhance existing knowledge.
Trusted research authorities have invested significant time and funding in understanding environmental concerns related to the growing clean energy industries. To mythbust some confusing statements regarding renewable energy equipment, we can turn to the research. The research is clear - solar panels are safe, durable, have long service lifespans and can be responsibly reused, refurbished, or recycled. During this session, hear from the scientific and policy analysis experts from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) on how their research studies, findings, and current work can help us understand the reality of concerns around PV module durability, reliability, a circular economy approach and policies, and toxicity.

Learning Objectives:

  • Gain insights into the extensive research efforts conducted by trusted authorities to comprehensively understand environmental concerns within the growing clean energy sectors.
  • Acquire a clear understanding of the safety, durability, and extended service lifespans of solar panels, as supported by well-established research findings.
  • Explore the responsible approaches of reusing, refurbishing, and recycling solar panels, and their positive implications for sustainability and environmental impact reduction.

    Moderator(s)

  • Evelyn M. Butler (she/her/hers)

    Vice President, Technical Services
    Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
    Washington, District of Columbia, United States

    PDF Slides

    • Panelist(s)

  • Teresa M. Barnes

    DuraMAT Director and Distinguished Member of the Research Staff
    National Renewable Energy Laboratory
    Golden, Colorado, United States

  • Taylor Curtis (she/her/hers)

    Regulatory/Policy Analyst
    NREL
    Golden, Colorado, United States

  • Stephen Kalland (he/him/his)

    Executive Director, NC Clean Energy Technology Center
    North Carolina State University
    Raleigh, North Carolina, United States

  • Cara Libby

    Principal Technical Leader
    Electric Power Research Institute
    Palo Alto, California, United States