Unfortunately, in the renewable energy industry misinformation spreads rampantly online, interpersonally, and even from “news” sources. Frequently, this misinformation manifests in the form of faux environmental concerns ranging from claims of toxins within photovoltaic (PV) panel technology to over-exaggerated claims of solar’s landuse.
In this blog, we will provide several sources to hopefully put any of your lingering fears to rest over solar’s environmental impact.
CLAIM #1: Solar Panels are Dangerous.
Are Solar Panels Made with Toxic Materials?
The manufacturing process of crystalline silicon PV cells requires the use of toxic materials. However, the federal government regulates these manufacturing facilities, protecting workers through strict OSHA workplace regulations. Once manufactured, PV solar panels are encapsulated in a glass and metal frame able to withstand severe weather such as up to 1 inch of hail falling at 50 mph and hurricane winds up to 140 mph.
These standards were put to the test in May 2017, when a Denver area hail storm struck the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) with golf ball sized hail. In the storm’s aftermath NREL inspected the damage and found only 1 broken panel out of the 3,000 panels at the site.
Due to their design, solar panels pose no danger from toxic materials during project construction, operation or post operation. At the end of the generating system’s life, permits and landowner agreements require that the panels be properly removed from the site and disposed of in accordance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
Are solar farms fire hazards?
As with all electrical equipment, there is a slight risk. However, most of the components that comprise photovoltaic panels are nonflammable, with the exception of the polymer outer layers, small plastic parts, and wiring insulation. These combustible pieces are only a small fraction of the larger panel, making them extremely unlikely to self-ignite.
The most important solution to the threat of electrical fire is education: ensuring that local firefighters are trained by the National Electrical Code standards and that construction and development mitigate unique concerns that may be present at each buildsite.
CLAIM #2: Solar Panels harm animals.
Do solar farms harm birds?
Photovoltaic (PV) panels used on the East Coast absorb about 90% of the energy of the sun to convert. Some light is reflected while infrared is too weak to be used, and ultraviolet rays create heat energy (SEIA). However, the heat that is produced is not strong enough to harm birds and insects.
Often, avian mortalities occur in Photovoltaic (PV) panel farms due to the “lake effect”: where birds mistake the blue reflective panels for a body of water to dive into, and the impact may be fatal.
Most news of solar causing bird deaths originates in the desert of certain western states, where concentrated solar power (CSP) facilities reflect sunlight onto a small structure that utilizes the generated heat to drive a secondary process creating electricity. These concentrated rays of light do kill birds flying into their path.
There are currently 27 CSP facilities in the US, and there are mixed reports about the future of the technology due to its substantial shortcomings (danger and inefficiency) paired with its significant advantages (ability to store energy overnight).
Will animal habitats be lost?
Actually, the opposite! The majority of our projects are constructed on hundreds of acres of unused farmland. Therefore, our work is primarily planting native plants and grasses, creating animal and insect-friendly habitats rather than having to clear them.
Any wetlands, bottomlands, or tributaries on the project site will remain untouched, and wildlife corridors are created between sections of panels to allow for the free flow of animals into and out of the project site.
Importantly, any properties that would have been used for active farming will see a drastic reduction in unnatural fertilizers and pesticides, thus growing the population of native pollinators, plants, insects and animals that promote healthy biodiversity.
With development projects of any size, the impact on existing wildlife habitats is a core consideration during planning, permitting and project construction. The US Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Considerations for Solar Farms lays out important considerations for solar developers when proposing a new project, including contingency planning.
CLAIM #3: Solar Panels harm the environment at large.
Do solar farms use more water?
Solar photovoltaic (PV) generation systems are one of the least water-intensive methods of electricity generation.
Most water-usage can be attributed to either mitigating dust during construction or to routine maintenance during operation. Maintenance ensures the panels are clean in order to maximize efficiency during energy production. Solar power farms, on average, use 20 gallons of water per megawatt hour.
The amount of water used for a particular project is heavily based on “technology and climate conditions at the site.” In warmer, dryer states, more water is needed to ensure excess dust does not render panels inefficient. In cooler, wet states, very minimal water is ever needed as natural rainfall benefits construction conditions and helps maintenance.
State and regional agencies regulate water flow and runoff both during construction and operation.These stipulations have conditions that mitigate any potential water management issues during both construction and operation stages.
Will it waste farmland?
Of course, every type of land use costs the opportunity of another, however solar in particular can easily be placed atop unused farmland, and enrich the soil through native pollinator-friendly grasses and flowers.
Most of the landowners we work with are not actively farming their land, but solar projects allow them to still earn a profit on the land that is rightfully theirs!
The bottom line—we are not utilizing a scarce resource, which is a big reason these projects make economic sense: low-cost land allows for solar farms to compete.
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By: Kolbe Osarchuk
Kolbe Osarchuk is SolUnesco’s 2025 Summer Marketing Intern. She is going into her fourth year at the University of Virginia, majoring in English and Economics.
Published: July 16th, 2025
Edited: July 16th, 2025