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Solar power: Difference between revisions
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Solar power could potentially provide most of the world's energy and '''replace [[fossil fuels]]'''. The [[land]] usage would be very small,<!--TODO: add calculation--> and [[rooftop solar]] could provide the majority of energy. However, this comes with some major challenges: | Solar power could potentially provide most of the world's energy and '''replace [[fossil fuels]]'''. The [[land]] usage would be very small,<!--TODO: add calculation--> and [[rooftop solar]] could provide the majority of energy. 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 --> | ||