[geoduck14]

>Solar power doesn't pollute Nope. The heavy metals used in solar powers are pretty awful. Perhaps they don't have the same impact as CO2, but we don't have a decent solution for what to do with the trash from old solar panels.

[socrates1998]

Yes, I didn't bring that up because I feel like Solar's manufacturing pollution isn't comparable to coal's ongoing and inherently massive pollution.

Coal pollutes both in destruction of the physical land (strip mining) and in ongoing pollution from huge amounts of carbon emissions.

Solar needs to be a responsible in how they get the materials (mining) and dispose of broken or outdated panels.

[antattack]

When talking about coal pollution lets not forget toxic metals released into lakes and rivers, such as mercury and arsenic.

[elindbe3]

Or the lung cancer causing particle emissions.

[pfdietz]

Which heavy metals are those? Be specific.

[Aunche]

Solar panels use cadmium and lead in trace quantities that makes recycling certain parts of solar panels unprofitable. I can easily see this being like plastics all over again.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbes-personal-shopper/2021/01...

[pfdietz]

Cadmium is not used by Si cells, which comprise 95% of the market. Lead has been used in back contact sheets but is being phased out. Heavy metals are not necessary for solar.