Quote:
Originally Posted by SmokeyTheBear
and if the cars didn't require toxic batteries, and you didn't need to store the solar energy somehow.
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The batteries are one thing. The fact that the panels are made of arsenic and cadmium is another. Every fifteen years when the panels have to be replaced that dumps another load of toxins into the environment.
On the positive side, if you live near the equator, solar produces significantly less greenhouse gases. Given the sunlight in much of the world, solar production produces similar amounts of CO2 and other gases. So on balance it's similar amounts of pollution - a lot more toxins, but less CO2 on average.