3 ms·
Like I said -- only if you disregard the environmental impact and account for reusing the scraps from microelectronics industry (which is a good thing, sure --
by atemerev 9y ago
Like I said -- only if you disregard the environmental impact and account for reusing the scraps from microelectronics industry (which is a good thing, sure -- but can't be expanded much). Crystalline silicon production is messy.
- lz400 9y agoEnvironmental impact of PV is negligible compared with the alternatives, especially fossil fuels.
- atemerev 9y agoWell, fossil fuels are not an option anyway, but going full nuclear with closed cycle is much cheaper and environmentally safe. The only problem are proliferation concerns...
- lz400 9y agoI disagree. I don't even think nuclear waste is that big of a problem. I think at this point is a efficiency and engineering issue. From 2010 to 2017 the $/Mhw projections in Solar have gone down by 81% while in Nuclear it was only 19%. Wind 63%. PV is lower than nuclear now. Estimates for 2022 are even more difference. Nuclear is just not worth it at this point. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_electricity_by_source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cost_of_electricity_by_source
- maxerickson 9y agoIsn't PV a primary market for silicon? Sure looks like it: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polysilicon_prices_history_since_2004.svg https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polysilicon_prices_h... (the price drop is mostly a result of pretty big increases in production)