Using integrated risk assessment to enable on-site re-purposing of construction wastes from renewable energy projects to confirm highest value re-use

Abstract

The rapid growth in solar PV construction means a concurrent growth in used solar panels and end of life packaging materials. The current study assesses the risks in an integrated manner, from applying shredded end of life packaging materials (EOLPM) to soil at a utility-scale solar energy (USSE) plant. Its aim and purpose is to determine if the EOLPM would pose a potential risk to human health and/or the environment if placed as a soil amendment incorporated into the surface soil (as a surface-incorporated mulch). An integrated risk assessment, drawing upon existing chemical and phytotoxicity data and introducing carbon emissions impacts (including social cost of carbon emissions) from trea..