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All of the current mass produced, cheap PV is made using coal smelting. Someday in the future that might not be true, but it is true today. https://www.researc
by yesbut 3y ago
All of the current mass produced, cheap PV is made using coal smelting. Someday in the future that might not be true, but it is true today.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335083312_Why_do_we_burn_coal_and_trees_to_make_solar_panels https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335083312_Why_do_we...
- pfdietz 3y agoActually, I was given to believe elemental silicon is typically made with charcoal, not coal. The porous structure of charcoal reacts more effectively with silicon monoxide vapor in the arc furnace. Also, that paper had this statement: > For example, every step in the production of solar PV power systems requires an input of fossil fuels which is false. None of the steps in making PV require fossil fuels. That paper appears to not have been published in any peer reviewed journal. Also the claim that wood chips have to come from clearcutting of rain forests is hilarious. Where did you get this bullshit?
- yesbut 3y agodenial.
- pfdietz 3y agoDenial? No. It's pointing out that observing that someone uses coal for some part of making PV doesn't imply that making PV requires coal. There is not a single part of the process of making PV modules that would be impossible without coal (or, indeed, without fossil fuels). Processes might have to be changed a bit from right now, but that's true of making just about anything.