Water usage in solar panel production and operation impacts arid regions primarily during the manufacturing and maintenance stages rather than during actual power generation. The key points are:
- Manufacturing Water Use: Solar panel factories require significant water amounts for cleaning, cooling, etching, and processing crystalline and thin-film panels. Some semiconductor manufacturing facilities can consume up to 5 million gallons of water daily, amounting to nearly 2 billion gallons annually. This industrial water usage may strain water resources in arid regions if manufacturing is localized there without adequate water management.
- Operational Water Use: Once installed, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels themselves require minimal water. Water use occurs mainly during cleaning to remove dust and debris, which is crucial in dusty, arid environments to maintain panel efficiency. This cleaning uses a modest amount of water, approximately 20 gallons per megawatt-hour (gal/MWh) generated. Compared to other power generation methods, such as coal or nuclear plants, this is significantly lower.
- No Cooling Water for PV: Unlike thermal power plants (including concentrating solar power – CSP), PV solar panels do not require water for cooling, which is beneficial in water-scarce regions. CSP plants do need cooling, which can involve water, but this varies by technology and cooling method.
- Water Conservation Benefit: Solar panels contribute to water conservation in the long term by avoiding the heavy water use typical of fossil fuel and nuclear power plants, which can consume hundreds to thousands of gallons per megawatt-hour.
In summary, while the water used in solar panel manufacturing can pose challenges for arid regions, the operational phase of PV solar power is water-efficient and supports water conservation compared to conventional energy sources. Effective water management during manufacturing and maintenance is essential to minimize the impact on scarce water resources in these regions.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-water-usage-in-solar-panel-production-affect-arid-regions/
