Innovation For Sustainability In Solar Power - Coursework Example

Since the sun is the leading source of renewable energy, solar panels are a common sight in most urban and rural areas. The development of the panels started in the 1860s when Willoughby Smith, a famous electrician, discovered that selenium was capable of transmitting minute electrical charges when exposed to sunlight. For years, research into the possibility of converting the sun’s energy into electricity continued until silicon replaced selenium photovoltaic (PV) cells in the 1950s. Although the discovery of silicon PV cells was a notable advancement, they were not only expensive but also incapable of producing adequate electricity.

In the 1980s, scientists started manufacturing PV cells from amorphous silicon. The new cells were cheaper than previous versions and their electricity output was higher.The impact of solar panels on human society is significant. For instance, while the extraction of fossil fuels is responsible for water pollution, fuel spills, acid rain, and global warming relying on solar energy have enabled people to conserve the environment. Besides environmental conservation, PV technology has created massive employment opportunities.

For instance, in Australia, the solar energy sector directly employs about 20,000 people and supports over 200,000 jobs in sectors such as steel and glass manufacturing, electrical and battery equipment manufacturing, and others.Regardless of such benefits, the development of solar panels presents engineers with various ethical challenges. According to Corkish et al., (2013), cadmium is an important compound of PV cells. However, it is highly toxic and causes fever, muscle aches, as well as a renal failure when exposed to the skin.

The Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists, and Managers (APESM) is guided by numerous codes of ethics that require engineers to prioritize the health, safety, and wellbeing of the public. Therefore, the ethical dilemma facing engineers across the globe is how to continue manufacturing solar panels without exposing people to potentially carcinogenic compounds.