Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

Importing solar panels from China is a security risk. Like when Europe depended on Russian gas...

Edit: US has no competitive way to manufacture panels, and with cheap imports, it never develops such industry!



Doubt. Considering the lifespan of solar panels and the ability to manufacture panels at a later date, totally different situations.

We should look to non Chinese suppliers strategically, but they can't remote shutdown panels in an instant like Russia can stop a flow of gas.


Except when the panels stop nothing happens for 20 something years?


No, because you need a continual supply of gas to keep having factories, but once you have a solar field, you have it.

Ther rated lifespan for a solar panel is on the order of 20-30 years, but they're still producing 70-80% of their output after that time. They last a very long time - if not destroyed from above.


One of the fascinating things about solar panels is that they continue to produce electricity for many years. Unlike a gallon of gas, once you burn it, it's gone.


Not just that either. Once the current installation has completed its life cycle, the replacement could come from any source - domestic, alternate or original. And since PVs generate DC supply, interfacing even significantly newer generation panels/equipment isn't going to be too hard.


remarkable


Better than not having solar panels at all...


> with cheap imports, it never develops such industry!

Unless war compels it. But there's no Nordstream of solar panels that can be shut down in the meanwhile.


please use a /s for sarcasm like this




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: