The transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is essential in reducing emissions of the greenhouse gases that are causing rapid climate change. But in many cases, misinformation and misunderstandings about solar power and wind energy have delayed their adoption.
"Myths are often used to delay the deployment of renewable energy, which is harmful because it slows our response to climate change," said Teresa Barnes, a researcher at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and an author of the report."The impacts of unmitigated climate change are far more dangerous and deadly than any possible risk posed by renewables."
That sounds like a lot. But the researchers show that amounts to a tiny fraction of waste from other sources, such as coal:"35 years of cumulative PV module waste is dwarfed by the waste generated by fossil fuel energy and other common waste streams," the authors write, noting that the volume of coal ash and oily sludge waste from fossil fuel energy is up to 300–800 times and 2–5 times greater, respectively, than that from solar modules.
Indeed, the authors note, the recycling of solar modules is"critical to decarbonizing the PV supply chain and minimizing waste." They also note that rapid advances in solar technology are allowing manufacturers to start targeting a 50-year lifespan for panels.