Exploring the Ethical Dimensions of Engineering Processes for Solar Energy Production

Global manufacturing of photovoltaic (PV) cells has increased substantially over the last two decades. From the installation of 1.5 GW to over 580 GW of PV capacity, solar power has become one of the most prominent renewable energy sources in the world [1]. The cost to manufacture PV systems has fallen by as much as 95% since 2010, contributing to its surge in production and its competitiveness in the global economy [2].Despite the promising figures and alluring potential of investing in solar energy to meet contemporary green energy demands, a series of ethical flaws challenges its long-term value as a sustainable energy source. Numerous allegations of forced labor and the utilization of fossil fuels as a cheaper alternative to cleaner energy in the manufacturing process only scratch the surface of the complex ethical landscape of solar energy production [3].This paper explores the ethical dimensions of harnessing solar power for green energy initiatives and how they align with the pillars of ethics in science and engineering research and practice. The analysis considers a blend of modern case studies and characterizes their findings to identify key alternatives to address the ethical pitfalls in PV manufacturing such as a lack of transparency in the origins of raw materials, supply chain issues, human rights violations, and accountability for policy regulations. The discussion uses these alternatives to formulate a timeline of actions stakeholders can take to balance the incentive to manufacture PV systems at scale with the obligation to uphold ethical standards in the production lifecycle.