3 ms·

I don't see any mention of solar waste.

• mikeash 8y ago
  There’s a lot of solar waste. The manufacturing process produces it, and the cells don’t last forever so after 20-30 years, they become waste too. (Not arguing against solar power, I’m very much in favor, but that’s just how it is.) Paradoxically, nuclear waste gets a lot of attention because there’s so little of it. It’s a small enough problem for people to pay attention to. Far bigger waste problems are ignored because they’re too hard to think about.
• trimbo 8y ago
  Here ya go https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2018/05/23/if-solar-panels-are-so-clean-why-do-they-produce-so-much-toxic-waste/#6c459754121c https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2018/05/23...
  • imtringued 8y ago
    >Solar panels _often_ contain lead, cadmium, and other toxic chemicals that cannot be removed without breaking apart the entire panel. Nowadays the definition of "often" has shifted to meaning 5%. The waste problem is only relevant for thin film solar panels which only comprise a tiny percentage of the entire market.
    • zunzun 8y ago
      The lead and cadmium night explain why I feel so woozy after smoking ground-up solar panels.