Solar modules deployed in France in 1992 still provide 79.5% of original output power
www.pv-magazine.com
New testing conducted at France's oldest PV system have shown that its solar modules can still provide performance values in line with what the manufacturers promised.
    • LiquidSmoke@lemmy.mlEnglish
      1·
      4 months ago

      Carter called for solar panels to be installed on the White House in 1979. Modern ones are probably way more efficient but they were definitely a thing.

    • MagicShel@programming.devEnglish
      1·
      4 months ago

      Jesus Christ. Look, back in the Stone Age when I went to school the coolest calculator was the TI-36 Solar. It was already that mundane.

      Naturally, I used a non-solar Casio, because I wasn’t one of the cool nerds.

      • Flipper@feddit.deEnglish
        0·
        4 months ago

        The great thing about nuclear power is that the real cost only comes after the power has been generated. How do you store the spent fuel cells and what do you do with the reactor when it can’t be used anymore. Just before that happens you spin the plant into its own company. When that company goes bankrupt the state needs to cover the cost, as it isn’t an option to just leave it out in the open.

        Privatise profit communalism cost.

  • Shanedino@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    4 months ago

    The weird thing is that in this scenario these panels are still applicable for replacement probably because the the solar panels of today compared to then are about ~40% more efficient. So compared to a new replacement it’s at around 60% efficiency. A major site plans profit off of 30 years and plans to replace glass at that time, so while it may still be somewhat useful long term it’s probably more profitable to replace them.

    • Natanael@slrpnk.netEnglish
      0·
      4 months ago

      … And since they’re still good they can be resold and used by others where efficiency isn’t the main concern, no need to trash them

  • feedum_sneedson@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    4 months ago

    Oh yeah, how about coal? Does that get any less efficient over time? Exactly. I’ve been burning the same lump of coal for easily the same amount of time and it remains 100% efficient, that’s the beauty of combustible fuel.

  • buzz86us@lemmy.worldEnglish
    0·
    4 months ago

    It’s funny how all the FUD idiots say that solar panels will wind up in the landfill and shit like that

    • themeatbridge@lemmy.worldEnglish
      0·
      4 months ago

      It’s a stupid argument against solar power, but it is a legitimate argument against cheap and poorly-constructed solar panels that do not have the same longevity as the ones built in the 90s.