Clean and Just Solar Energy Initiative, Year 1

To hire Dustin Mulvaney as a consultant to research the occupational and end-of-life hazards from production and disposal of solar photovoltaic (solar pv) cells, with the goal of shaping public policy on the manufacture and disposal of solar panels.  Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) has made a commitment to getting involved with the growing clean tech industry of which solar pv is a part because the industry is growing incredibly fast (62% growth in 2007 alone).  While the benefits of solar pv are well documented, not much is known about its production or end of life impacts.  Through this collaboration with Dustin, SVTC will evaluate the occupational and environmental risks from solar pv manufacturing and recommend ways to ensure a sustainable and socially just plan for the solar industry.