Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

XenthorX t1_ivux541 wrote

I wonder how many years it takes to compensate the pollution generated during solar panel creation.

Edit : looked it up and it’s between 1 to 3 years

−68

TheRealOvenCake t1_ivv0mu7 wrote

well it's probably several different kinds of pollution, not directly comparable

mining and transporting coal and burning it would release different kinds of pollution (mining biproducts, CO2)

than getting the materials and manufacturing photovoltaic cells (which I think are silicone?)

in terms of carbon emissions I would guess that solar cells have probably paid off the cost already also carbon emissions cause way more health issues globally from people inhaling the fumes, and this avoids all of those issues

31

MothMan3759 t1_ivw9r57 wrote

Most sources seem to say a year or two, to then have a decade or two of clean production. But with new technology coming out I expect it will get even better.

17

GoodMerlinpeen t1_ivxfi9m wrote

It takes between 2 months to 2 years for solar systems to recoup the energy used in their manufacture and installation, which is pretty good considering they last from 25-30 years. Of course, you could have found that information instead of asking a question which you no doubt intended as a statement...

3

XenthorX t1_ivxisco wrote

I just found between one and three years.

0