\"All energy-generating technologies, including solar technologies, affect the e
ID: 293382 • Letter: #
Question
"All energy-generating technologies, including solar technologies, affect the environment in many ways. However, the potential of solar technologies to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental impacts of energy generation compared with other generating technologies is among the most important reasons for widespread solar use".
What are some of the potentially damaging effects of utility-scale Photovoltaics to the environment? How can a decentralized PV distribution help the planet?
What does it mean to talk about the Life Cycle Analysis/Assessment of a product? Think about the life-cycle of PV components concerning raw material acquisition, material processing, manufacturing, recycling/disposal, etc.
Do the overall benefits concerning solar electric energy production outweigh the possible detriments? Why?
Conflicts between the utility companies and the solar industry are brewing. How can these tensions be quelled?
Explanation / Answer
What are some of the potentially damaging effects of utility-scale Photovoltaics to the environment? How can a decentralized PV distribution help the planet? ?Photovoltaics are made from silicon materials which are toxic in nature. The durability of photovoltaics are around 30 years and the recycling of products after 30 years is a question. In the manufacture of these panels, lead and phosphorus is used which will create water pollution after its dismantling. Decentralized PV distribution, that is the power setup for individual houses helps in generating the power by self and can be used for all the power needs in a home. This helps in unwanted carbon di-oxide emissions from the utility power factories which increases global heat. It can be installed in roof top and have better savings regarding power. Trees which can absorb more carbon di-oxide from the atmosphere but are less compared to the available carbon di-oxide in the atmosphere. Therefore, using decentralized PV system helps in reducing the global heat. What does it mean to talk about the Life Cycle Analysis/Assessment of a product? ?Life cycle analysis is the process of monitoring the product's performance throughout its life from the selection of raw materials for its production, performance during its operation and the safe recycling after its life time. There are products which even after its speculated life time, performs well and in this scenario, the product's condition has to be monitored and assessed so that the ultimate life cycle of the product can be projected. Do the overall benefits concerning solar electric energy production outweigh the possible detriments? Why? ?Yes. The reason is that the entire global energy crisis can be rectified with the utilization of solar panels and the power production. The trees can be saved and climate patterns can be recovered back to the original condition. Agriculture will thrive and global heating can be reduced. Earthquakes canot be man made anymore due to the reduction in gas extraction for power.
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