# Solar Energy Isn’t Always as Green as You Think - Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/03/photovoltaics-solar-isnt-always-green-you-think/ - Published: 2015-03-02T00:01:28-05:00 - Author: greenlivingguy ## Do cheaper photovoltaics / solar come with a higher environmental price tag? ### **By Dustin Mulvaney**⏎ **Posted 26 Aug 2014 | 15:00 GMT** [⌊photovoltaic solar panel construction⌉⌊photovoltaic solar panel construction⌉[ Photovoltaic or solar panels glimmering in the sun are an icon of all that is green. But while generating electricity through photovoltaics is indeed better for the environment than burning fossil fuels. For several incidents have linked the manufacture of these shining symbols of environmental virtue to a trail of chemical pollution. And it turns out that the time it takes to compensate for the energy used and the greenhouse gases emitted. Especially in photovoltaics or solar panel production. For it varies substantially by technology and geography. That’s the bad news. The good news is that the industry could readily eliminate many of the damaging side effects that do exist. Indeed, pressure for it to do so is mounting. Especially in part since 2008, photovoltaics manufacturing has moved from Europe, Japan, and the United States to China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Taiwan. For today nearly half the world’s photovoltaics are manufactured in China. As a result, although the overall track record for the industry is good. So the countries that produce the most photovoltaics today typically do the worst job of protecting the environment and their workers. [For the entire article from IEEE Spectrum](https://spectrum.ieee.org/green-tech/solar/solar-energy-isnt-always-as-green-as-you-think)  greenlivingguy The Green Living Guy, Seth Leitman is an independent power producer, a green living expert, and Editor of the McGraw-Hill, TAB Green Guru Guides. Seth is also an Author, Radio Host, Reporter, Writer and an Environmental Consultant on green living. The Green Living Guy writes about green living, green lighting, the green guru guides and more. Seth's books range from: # Build Your Own Electric Vehicle by Bob Brant and Seth Leitman (2nd and 3rd editions) # Build Your Own Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle by Seth Leitman # Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle by Carl Vogel # Green Lighting by Seth Leitman, Brian Clark Howard and Bill Brinsky # Solar Power For Your Home by David Findley # Renewable Energies For Your Home by Russel Gehrke # Do-it-Yourself Home Energy Audits by David Findley # Build Your Own Small Wind Power System by Brian Clark Howard and Kevin Shea # and more green living books to follow. [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/) [ ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/greenlivingguy/)