DRAWBACKS

• Only works when the sun is shining and requires a backup

• Expensive to start-up

• Elements sourced to make panels are not abundant

• Recycling toxic materials in panels is expensive, and therefore not done adequately

• Panel end up in landfills, leaching toxic metals into soil

• Solar farms are placed in deserts for the best yields. Deserts are dusty environments and cleaning panels consumes water. This practice has increased water scarcity in already vulnerable areas.

• Harm to wildlife

• Power plants require a lot of space

• China controls the rare earth minerals needed to make solar panels