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Photovoltaics: Difference between revisions
→Rare metals: Renamed to "scarce" to avoid confusion with rare-earth metals
(→Rare metals: Renamed to "scarce" to avoid confusion with rare-earth metals) |
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* To reduce the need for energy storage, it would help if people were to charge their [[electric vehicles]] mostly during the day, and if factories were to run only during the day (and maybe even temporarily shut down in the winter). | * To reduce the need for energy storage, it would help if people were to charge their [[electric vehicles]] mostly during the day, and if factories were to run only during the day (and maybe even temporarily shut down in the winter). | ||
== | ==Scarce metals== | ||
{{sum|Major problem}} | {{sum|Major problem}} | ||
''Thin-film photovoltaics'' are the most common types of solar panels used today. They are relatively efficient, but '''depend heavily''' on | ''Thin-film photovoltaics'' are the most common types of solar panels used today. They are relatively efficient, but '''depend heavily''' on scarce minerals. There's simply no way they could be scaled up enough to replace fossil fuels. <br />{{more|Solar panel minerals}} | ||
'''Solution:''' Find some other photovoltaic tech based on more abundant minerals. Sacrificing some efficiency is okay, for the sake of making cheaper, more scalable solar panels. <br />{{more|solar/challenge 1}} | '''Solution:''' Find some other photovoltaic tech based on more abundant minerals. Sacrificing some efficiency is okay, for the sake of making cheaper, more scalable solar panels. <br />{{more|solar/challenge 1}} | ||