Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
More than half of the solar collectors offered in the German Market have been
allocated the Blue Angel (RAL-ZU 73). This Blue Angel shows that no halo-
genated hydrocarbons have been used as heat transfer medium and that the sub-
stances used for collector insulation have not been produced using halogenated
hydrocarbons.
Thus during the production process of solar systems no environmental effects
occur that exceed the general average. If the appropriate environmental protection
regulations are adhered to, a very environmentally-friendly production is gener-
ally possible.
The rooftop installation of collectors can be dangerous. The risk of dying as a
result of falling from the roof during system installation, is comparable to that of a
roofer, chimney sweeper or carpenter, and is thus considered low.
Normal operation.
As the operation of solar collectors does not release any sub-
stances, they can generally be run in a very environmentally-friendly way. Addi-
tionally, collectors installed on the roof are relatively similar to roofs in terms of
their absorption and reflection behaviour. Thus hardly any negative impacts on the
local climate are to be expected in the case of an on-roof installation. The roof
areas covered with collectors that can sometimes be seen from far away only have
a minor impact on the visual appearance of cities and villages. The space utilisa-
tion of solar collectors is also quite low, as generally already existing roof areas
are used.
Only if collectors are installed on free areas, a negative impact on the micro-
climate might be possible. However, it is limited mainly to the shadow area and is
negligibly low. In principle, shadowed areas can still be used extensively for
farming.
Furthermore, evaporation during collector standstill ought to be prevented by
an appropriate system design and thus not be a health risk.
Malfunction.
Environmental effects caused by larger failures cannot be expected
from solar collector systems. Health risks for human beings or groundwater or soil
contamination by a possible leakage of the heat transfer medium containing anti-
freeze compound are very unlikely due to an advanced technology. Such problems
can also be avoided by regular inspections and the use of food-safe heat transfer
media (e.g. propylene-glycol-water-mixes).
It is possible that fires can release a limited amount of air transported trace
gases into the environment. However, they are not specific for solar thermal sys-
tems; furthermore, because of their design, fires at the collectors can only be ex-
pected if the entire building on which they are installed is on fire.
Additionally, possible dangers of injuries by falling collectors that have not
been correctly installed on the roof can normally be avoided by maintaining the
generally valid health and safety standards; the danger potential is at the same
level as that of roof tiles.
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