I don't know where you getting that data Something quantitative would e more convincing. Just using the term "mountains" sounds like an exageration. I bought a stack of ten used panels and I see posts all the time about people buying used panels. I know the aluminum frames are recyclable.One bothersome problem with panels....there are mountains of them headed for landfills
news media was hyping it up a while back. I'll take those panels only putting out 80%. Heck, I'll take panels only putting out 20%. I've got plenty of space.I don't know where you getting that data Something quantitative would e more convincing. Just using the term "mountains" sounds like an exageration. I bought a stack of ten used panels and I see posts all the time about people buying used panels. I know the aluminum frames are recyclable.
Define "end of life". I saw one of those news articles and there was zero reference to any studies or data. It was just the usual hype.Every Single Panel has an end of life. That qualifies as "mountains".
It currently costs $25ish to recycle and $1ish to put in a landfill.
Look around you. Where are they all going to go?
Counting something as "green" before it's life cycle is determined is folly.
likely by that point silver will be so expensive they will be worth more as scrap then the initial purchase price. The world will not end due to solar panels. Doom off.Define "end of life". I saw one of those news articles and there was zero reference to any studies or data. It was just the usual hype.
The important question is when are they going to go to a landfill?
The term "green" doesn't have much meaning to me. The economics are compelling. One of my 345 Watt panels will put out 10,000 kWhs of energy in 20 years. That is the equivalent of 30,000 miles in one of my EVs. That is 1000 gallons of gasoline. One panel in a landfill twenty years from now is nothing compared to the exhaust from burning 1000 gallons of gasoline. The dollar savings alone makes that solar panel worth it to me. I would gladly pay $25 to recycle it.
They will figure out a way to build earth ships with them. Crafty builders those green folks.Going back to that 1000 gallons of gasoline in my earlier example raised the question of where are all those gas pumps and refineries going to go. Hopefully they can be recycled into EVs.
I emphasized the economic impact because it is less debatable than global warming or green discussions. I also believe the free market will continue to be the driver of change and that is why I emphasize economics. I also think technology will come up with solutions. For example, while I would never want to use the batteries in my EVs to support the grid, there is emerging technology where EVs could play a key role in supporting the grid during peak hours.Most people will not do what's best for the environment but what's best for them economically
Now that you mention other mass-effect practices, the Crypto mining impact that may be a bigger concern for the grid than the growth of EVs. I would guess the Crypto miners run 24/7.There are far more questionable mass-effect practices than DIY solar. Don't overthink it.
Most people don't want to stuff someone else's pockets(carbon credits) to be "green" Also, some people are smart enough to look at the actual science instead of following political trends and being brainwashed by our sad school systems and media.Most people will not do what's best for the environment but what's best for them economically.
Going back to that 1000 gallons of gasoline in my earlier example raised the question of where are all those gas pumps and refineries going to go? Hopefully they can be recycled into EVs.
Hi @GregTR. I guess you are kind of new here.. welcome to the forums. This IS what we do.I can't believe this question garnered 4 pages of discussion... Looks like a lot of you have very strong opinion
Obviously, looking at my previous three sentences, I can't argue your point about the smart-assery. I can only confirm it.pretending to know all the nuances of what the future brings and drilling down into every environmental aspect of PV use is hypocritical in the least and smart-assery at its worst.
Hi @GregTR. I guess you are kind of new here.. welcome to the forums. This IS what we do.
Have you seen the posts that are 45 pages long, and only about 15 pages are on topic?
Obviously, looking at my previous three sentences, I can't argue your point about the smart-assery. I can only confirm it.
However, I think I can argue that you are missing a nuance about predicting the future. People will look at the guy with an electric car and solar panels who advocates that it is a good investment and say he is some goober who thinks he knows what the future will bring. But they are ignoring the fact that by choosing to stay reliant on the petroleum industry for transportation and reliant on the power grid for electricity, they are also predicting the future. Its just that their prediction is that these industries will continue to provide affordable energy and they are also predicting that if it becomes unaffordable, they will be able to purchase solar panels and an electric car then (when everyone is trying to do the same thing).
Payback can be defined many different ways.Green costs money and usually there is no payback, not in a timely manner unless you got everything for dirt cheap or free. It's a hobby and you get to use all the power you can produce and not worry about the electric bill. It's too late to help the environment.
Hmmm. Does photovoltaic output increase in the glow of radiation?Putin will nuke us all anyways.