Any time someone brings this up I wonder if they’re financed by the fossil fuel industry as it’s just such a weird point to make.
First: consider the alternatives: Every form of energy has an environmental cost associated with it. Surely we agree that while not perfect, PV is vastly superior in this regard to gas/coal/oil? It might even be less polluting than nuclear, but it’s early here and I’m too tired to research this.
Second: PV modules have a very long life span. At least 20 years. After that time, they’ll probably be operating still, but at maybe 60-80% of peak performance. That’s probably not good enough for commercial use, but I built myself a nice little garden shed solar array using “old” modules because they were basically free and I don’t care that much about peak performance in my use case. That’s to say, these things can still be used for a long time.
Third: if they ever do need to be completely recycled, well, that’s doable. In the EU, it’s actually compulsory. The processes are there, although they don’t quite scale yet. That’s mainly because there’s just not that many old modules to recycle yet.
sooo with all that going on, what exactly are you basing your point on?
It doesn’t have to be paid shills directly. In many cases, the fossil fuel industry just seeds the information through “think” tanks and opinion columns and useful idiots spread it around from there.
Any time someone brings this up I wonder if they’re financed by the fossil fuel industry as it’s just such a weird point to make.
First: consider the alternatives: Every form of energy has an environmental cost associated with it. Surely we agree that while not perfect, PV is vastly superior in this regard to gas/coal/oil? It might even be less polluting than nuclear, but it’s early here and I’m too tired to research this.
Second: PV modules have a very long life span. At least 20 years. After that time, they’ll probably be operating still, but at maybe 60-80% of peak performance. That’s probably not good enough for commercial use, but I built myself a nice little garden shed solar array using “old” modules because they were basically free and I don’t care that much about peak performance in my use case. That’s to say, these things can still be used for a long time.
Third: if they ever do need to be completely recycled, well, that’s doable. In the EU, it’s actually compulsory. The processes are there, although they don’t quite scale yet. That’s mainly because there’s just not that many old modules to recycle yet.
sooo with all that going on, what exactly are you basing your point on?
Use nuclear you goober.
You seem like a rational, polite, and thoughtful person. Charming, even. So I’m blocking you.
If you haven’t figured out that electronics make waste and that nuclear fission is the answer, good, you’re free to fuck right off.
Also, this isn’t an airport, you don’t need to announce your departures, thanks!
That’s a great idea.
I actually felt like this before your comment 🫡 thx for the information
I think it’s not people paid by the fuel industry but rather just disinformation spread through urban legends.
It doesn’t have to be paid shills directly. In many cases, the fossil fuel industry just seeds the information through “think” tanks and opinion columns and useful idiots spread it around from there.