The Effect of Photovoltaic Nanomaterial Roofing on Harvested Rainwater Quality

The global freshwater and energy crisis have prompted worldwide investments in rainwater harvesting and solar energy systems. As the implementation of these two systems develops concurrently, they can easily become integrated into one rooftop structure. Photovoltaic systems have the potential to leach heavy metals and other toxins from newly installed, broken or aged modules. Since the type of roofing material used for rainwater harvesting has been shown by several studies to affect the quality of the harvested rainwater, the use of solar panels on rooftops as catchment systems may pose a health risk to consumers. Hazardous materials leached from solar panels can alter the water quality of the harvested rainwater. This paper presents a laboratory-scale investigation of the effect of new and aged photovoltaic surfaces on the quality of harvested rainwater and will assess if solar panel systems can become significant sources of contamination in harvested rainwater.