Table 4.30 Welfare Effects of a Terrestrial Photovoltaic Fuel Cycle3 Air Pollution Atmospheric Changes Water Pollution Water Use Solid Waste Land Use Disturbance Electromagnet ic Disturbance Noise Aesthet ic Disturbances Mining Manufactur ing Construction Transportat ion Solar Collectors Mining Manufacturing Mining Manufactur ing Construct ion Mining Manufactur ing Mining Solar Collectors Transmission Transmission Transmission Mining Transmission Solar cell manufacturing may produce toxic emissions — exact emissions and welfare effects are unknown. Environmental prob- blems from fugitive dust from mining and construction could occur — welfare effects are not expected to be as severe as those of toxic emissions. Negligible effects on climate likely. Water pollutants generated by conventional mining and manufacturing activities could degrade drinking water supplies and cause reduced commercial and recreational yield in affected waters. Mining of materials could disrupt aquifers and bodies of water; impacts unknown. Mine tailings and residuals from photovoltaic cell manufacturing could increase demand for disposal sites. Toxic manufacturing wastes could reduce productivity and usefulness of land to some degree. Mining operations and solar collector sites remove large parcels of land from alternate uses. Post-mining agricultural use of reclaimed areas may be less productive. Large solar collector sites could require relocation of homes, roads, and right-of- ways and inconvenience persons having to drive around an area that they formerly could drive through. Power transmission can effect fringe TV and radio reception. No major effects. High voltage transmission lines create a barely audible hum. Mining activities and transmission lines would have visual impacts.
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