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>Solar power doesn't pollute Nope. The heavy metals used in solar powers are pretty awful. Perhaps they don't have the same impact as CO2, but we don't have a d

>Solar power doesn't pollute Nope. The heavy metals used in solar powers are pretty awful. Perhaps they don't have the same impact as CO2, but we don't have a decent solution for what to do with the trash from old solar panels.

socrates1998 6y ago
Yes, I didn't bring that up because I feel like Solar's manufacturing pollution isn't comparable to coal's ongoing and inherently massive pollution. Coal pollutes both in destruction of the physical land (strip mining) and in ongoing pollution from huge amounts of carbon emissions. Solar needs to be a responsible in how they get the materials (mining) and dispose of broken or outdated panels.
- antattack 6y ago
  When talking about coal pollution lets not forget toxic metals released into lakes and rivers, such as mercury and arsenic.
  - elindbe3 6y ago
    Or the lung cancer causing particle emissions.
pfdietz 6y ago
Which heavy metals are those? Be specific.
- Aunche 6y ago
  Solar panels use cadmium and lead in trace quantities that makes recycling certain parts of solar panels unprofitable. I can easily see this being like plastics all over again. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/01/07/ces-2021-everything-you-need-to-know/?sh=188807045401 https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/01...
  - pfdietz 6y ago
    Cadmium is not used by Si cells, which comprise 95% of the market. Lead has been used in back contact sheets but is being phased out. Heavy metals are not necessary for solar.