Page 384 - A Comprehensive Guide to Solar Energy Systems
P. 384
392 A COMPrEHEnSIvE GUIDE TO SOlAr EnErGy SySTEMS
20.2 Solar Energy Effectors and Potential Effects
on the Environment
Effectors may be temporally categorized over the lifetime of a photovoltaic (Pv) or con-
centrating solar power (CSP) installation, from construction through decommissioning
(Fig. 20.1) and may have one or more potential effects on the environment with multiple
potential ecological responses. Additionally, the technology, size, and location of solar
energy infrastructure may impact biota and the environment in different ways. For exam-
ple, integrated solar energy is that which has zero land-use and land-cover change impacts
beyond those associated with raw materials acquisition and manufacturing. Thus, it has
minimal to zero adverse effects on the biosphere (beyond life-cycle emissions), resources
(e.g., cultural), and legal entitlements (e.g., religious rights of indigenous communities)
FIGURE 20.1 Solar energy effectors for utility-scale solar energy technologies (ALL USSE), including concentrating solar
power (USSE CSP) and photovoltaics (USSE PV), and for both utility-scale and distributed schemes (Distributed and
USSE). Photo credit: Rebecca R. Hernandez. From Hernandez RR, Easter SB, Murphy-Mariscal ML, Maestre FT, Tavassoli
M, Allen EB, et al. Environmental impacts of utility-scale solar energy. Renew Sust Energy Rev 2014;29:766–79.
