"Everything from Solar Panels & Wind Turbines down to Wire & Fuse!"
The Numbers
When burning natural gas for electricity, between 0.6 and 2 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent are released per kilowatt-hour (CO2E/kWh); coal emits between 1.4 and 3.6 pounds of CO2E/kWh
In comparison to Wind, creating only 0.02 to 0.04 pounds of CO2E/kWh on a life-cycle basis; Solar being 0.02 to 0.7; Geothermal at 0.1 to 0.2; and Hydroelectric between 0 and .1
Are we really making a difference?
More often than not, good things come to an end
Unfortunately, this is true for most everything on our planet including, a majority of electronics. Solar panels have a "lifespan" as well, which is why they are backed by a degradation warranty of typically 25 years.
Degradation Warranty
This refers to the output performance of the solar panel, which will overtime, become slightly less efficient. For instance, most warranties allow for about a 90% output after 10 years and 80% after 25-30 years. On average, the natural "fade" of the sunlight that you see bleaching colors out of clothes after over exposure, has the similar affect on the panels degrading them at approximately 1% per year.
So what happens when solar panels reach the end of their life cycle?
There are options here and this is when we can really start to make a difference.
Option A:
Which is really the last option, filling our landfills with more consumer waste.
Let's avoid that!
Option B:
Recycle!
In other countries there are laws governing the waste of these materials. Renewable Energy Company is actively seeking the same change here in the United States. Our goal is to not only offer a better solution to the power demand, but actually leave a positive impact on the environment. Which is why we are not afraid to address both the Pro's and Con's that are debated.
Below is a link to the European Commission that REC proposes we adopt similar values into our country's standards.
Waste electronic equipment - Environment - European Commission (europa.eu)
In addition, we are developing a "buy back" incentive program for "garbage" electronics once they have reached the end of their life cycle.