the real waste problem, solar edition

the real waste problem, solar edition

by Caroline

Previously, we produced an infographic on the amount of waste produced by coal powered electricity compared to nuclear powered electricity.  We also examined the many (50+) dangerous chemicals used in solar panel production.

But what of the volume of waste a solar powered world would create?  

Research on electricity generation and land use (paper, referenced here previously), estimates that solar power to produce 100% of world electricity generation would require 5,500,000,000,000 square meters (5.5 x 10^12 m^2).http://thingsworsethannuclearpower.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-real-waste-problem-solar-edition.html