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Attempt to convince people solar panels aren’t a worthwhile investment

submitted by Sal_180 to funny 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 11:09:31 ago (+0/-6)     (files.catbox.moe)

https://files.catbox.moe/x7aaun.jpeg



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[ - ] FreeinTX 6 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 12:05:45 ago (+6/-0)

The fact checker has it wrong. The panels do not last 30-35 years. That's a straight up lie but out by panel manufacturers, but just like ev batteries, the make it to about half their lifespan and lose efficiency every year that they are used.

Nor are the panels recyclable. While most of the materials is a panel are aluminum and glass, getting them out of the panel is expensive and therefore not done. Especially in the US.

In an ideal world, all solar panels would be recycled. Unfortunately, it’s currently pretty hard to recycle solar panels in the United States, and the process is expensive. Because of this, most solar panels can’t be recycled in the US, at least not fully. Instead, dead panels are sent to an e-waste facility that will salvage what they can—usually the aluminum, glass, and copper. The rest of the panel’s components are typically shredded and sent to a landfill.

https://www.bostonsolar.us/solar-blog-resource-center/blog/what-happens-to-solar-panels-when-they-die/

Being in the fossil fuel industry doesn't make you less credible to discuss facts related to solar panels.

If solar was a better way to go than "fossil fuels", it wouldn't need to be subsidized as heavily as it is.

[ - ] Sal_180 [op] -2 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 12:08:13 ago (+0/-2)

You said they are mostly aluminium and glass which isn't recycled and your quoted source says it is recycled

[ - ] FreeinTX 2 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 12:20:34 ago (+2/-0)

My source says the panel recycling is to expensive and the process to heavily regulated to recycle panels in the US.

The panels are sent to foreign countries to recycle the glass, aluminum and copper. The rest gets sent to landfills.

[ - ] glooper 4 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 11:46:08 ago (+4/-0)*

Solar expert here. Rigged boats, RV,s and houses with solar and wind systems. All of this is right. 100% correct. Solar has a half life of panels, usually measured in years. usually only generates 50% of whats rated, the trash IS highly toxic and I just found out, most wind and solar systems auto-shut down at about 30 degrees f. Something about the way the batteries charge.

Also fun fact: Smelting the base materials for a solar panel. Is one of the most, if not the most, toxic manufacturing processes known to man.


Refining the base materials for the batteries... About the 5th most toxic manufacturing process known to man.


Also fun fact: 90% of all solar and wind systems have a higher "carbon footprint" due to just the manufacturing footprint of the equipment, then they ever save in their lifetimes of use.

[ - ] Her0n 2 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 11:28:07 ago (+2/-0)

Solar panels can be helpful as a backup system to aid in brown outs, not really great as a primary power source.

[ - ] Sal_180 [op] -2 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 11:36:26 ago (+0/-2)

True. But you will draw less electricity from the grid with them

[ - ] Her0n 4 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 12:03:59 ago (+4/-0)

I didn't say it is less draw on the grid, I said the opposite of that...

You can't "read too good" can you?

[ - ] Crackinjokes 1 point 2 monthsFeb 19, 2025 00:31:11 ago (+1/-0)

Actually the hard solar panels will produce 95% of their original capacity forever.

It's rock and glass.

Silicon is rock.

Don't buy the flexible ones of you want them to work more than 2 years.

The original solar panels produced by NASA are still working since the 1950's.

It's free power.

[ - ] Sal_180 [op] -1 points 2 monthsFeb 19, 2025 06:59:24 ago (+0/-1)

Exactly why oil companies are against them

[ - ] HeavyBrain 0 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 17:57:28 ago (+0/-0)

Still going with glow power to not have south africa style brown and blackouts.

[ - ] s23erdctfvyg 0 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 17:15:15 ago (+0/-0)

I'll never understand this obsession with solar panels or wind turbines, when there's still plenty of space on our rivers and streams for large and small hydro electric generators.

[ - ] Lost_coast 0 points 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 11:14:18 ago (+1/-1)

Solar panels are hippy bullshit you dumb nigger.

[ - ] Love240 1 point 2 monthsFeb 18, 2025 15:07:31 ago (+1/-0)

Not really, they're very convenient when you need to provide a semi-reliable source of power to a remote area.

They're also extremely cheap now, as the manufacturing processes have gotten much more efficient.

As well, they're a great back-up to provide a minimal level of operation during any period of power outage (if you have it hooked up appropriately).