• silence7M
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    58
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    3 months ago

    It’s worth noting that the actual volumes of non-recyclable material left when we’re done with solar panels are tiny compared with the huge ponds of toxic ash left by coal.

    • Womble@lemmy.worldOP
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      9
      arrow-down
      12
      ·
      edit-2
      3 months ago

      Sure, I don’t think anyone discussing energy production in good faith would claim that coal is anything other than the absolute worst. It’s not exactly a huge achievement to say something is less bad than the most polluting method of energy generation in existence.

        • Womble@lemmy.worldOP
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          5
          arrow-down
          5
          ·
          3 months ago

          Right, but that doesnt mean they’re perfect and their flaws shouldnt be discussed, if for no other reason than to ensure it doesnt become a bigger problem in the future.

          In addition to the waste problem the article also talks about the world supply of silver being exhausted in ~20 years if solar continues to expand at the expected 5-10x. That sounds like a problem, its probably fixable by shifting to new designs but it needs to be considered and work put into that in order to do so.