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Solar power: Difference between revisions
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Elie moved page Solar to Solar power over a redirect without leaving a redirect: Want solar to redirect to photovoltaics
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==Types== | ==Types== | ||
* [[Photovoltaics]] (PV) (solar panels) - | * [[Photovoltaics]] (PV) ([[solar panels]]) - '''most common type''' of solar power | ||
* [[Solar thermal panels]] - use sunlight to directly heat air or water, without involving electricity | * [[Concentrator photovoltaics]] | ||
* [[Concentrated solar]] - produce high heat by focusing enough sunlight into one area. The heat can be then used for generating electricity or for industrial processes. | * [[Solar thermal panels]] - {{light|use sunlight to directly heat air or water, without involving electricity}} | ||
<!-- TALK: maybe also mention here: | * [[Concentrated solar thermal]] - {{light|produce high heat by focusing enough sunlight into one area. The heat can be then used for generating electricity or for industrial processes.}} | ||
<!-- TALK: maybe also mention here: combined photovoltaic+thermal panels --> | |||
--> | |||
== | ==Viability== | ||
It's ''possible'' for solar power to provide most of the world's energy and '''replace [[fossil fuels]]'''. The [[land]] usage [[:File:solar-land-requirements.png|would be moderate]], and [[rooftop solar]] could be the main source.<!-- TALK: issue: the map estimates a much higher land requirement than the rooftop solar page does. There are some reasons for this (not terrible reasons), but it needs to be addressed/explained somewhere on the wiki. --> However, this comes with some major challenges: | |||
===[[ | ===[[/challenge 1|Challenge #1:]] Low-environmental-impact solar panels=== | ||
Currently, the most popular types of solar panels involve [[solar panel minerals|too many rare minerals]]. We couldn't scale them up enough even if we tried - there simply aren't enough of certain minerals in the Earth that can be mined. Mining also comes with environmental destruction and in some cases, child labor. <!-- maybe also mention that [[solar panel recycling]] is extremely limited and who knows if it'll get any better for the current wave of photovoltaics--> <!-- maybe also mention the good: the [[energy payback]] of solar panels is reasonable --> | Currently, the most popular types of solar panels involve [[solar panel minerals|too many rare minerals]]. We couldn't scale them up enough even if we tried - there simply aren't enough of certain minerals in the Earth that can be mined. Mining also comes with environmental destruction and in some cases, child labor. <!-- maybe also mention that [[solar panel recycling]] is extremely limited and who knows if it'll get any better for the current wave of photovoltaics--> <!-- maybe also mention the good: the [[energy payback]] of solar panels is reasonable --> | ||
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Only a small fraction of energy demands must be truly [[baseload]] power. | Only a small fraction of energy demands must be truly [[baseload]] power. | ||
[[Category:Energy sources]] | |||