Solar panel waste to reach crisis levels in next two to three years, Australian experts warn

www.theguardian.com

13 comments

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.
- 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.
  
  It's fair when that's what solar panels are replacing in Australia
- Yes, but there are quite a few of us who would like to see that industry wind down q bit to save things like the Barrier Reef and Earth in general.
- It's also the country where a third of homes have solar panels. Coal mining is still an issue but the proportion used for domestic power is decreasing every year.
- Australia isn't just Gina Rhinehart. Yes, Australia's economy is very mining heavy, and that includes coal mining. But that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of people there who realize that, in a region with that much sunshine, solar is a bit of no-brainer.
- Coal makes me hard.
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkyuI3oiGNE
so a product with decades long lifetime made almost entirely out of easily and commonly recycled parts like aluminum and glass, vs fuels with lifetimes of a few seconds with zero recyclability, all of the waste is immediately mixed into the air. Fuck off fossil fuel pawns.
- What's with the hostility? No one is disputing that solar in Australia is obviously a good choice and far better than fossil fuels. But that doesnt mean the (relatively small) downsides shouldn't be discussed.
  
  What's with the hostility?
  Your headline sounds like anti-progressive doomerism, that's what. Who cares whether this ton of waste came from solar panels or other appliances? The talking point should be on how solar has much room for improvememt in regard to recyclability, life expectancy, manufacturing waste reduction etc.
  I used to work in the sector, and we saw significant reduction in waste over my tenure due to improved practices and engineering innovations.
  Calling solar waste a "crisis" when the solar industry has had a net-positive effect on the planet is disingenuous.

13 comments