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The Conversation
The Conversation
Environment
Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University

Small-scale solar has key benefits, and one critical weakness, over large solar farms

A new study shows size matters in solar energy. The first ever life-cycle analysis comparing big and small solar photovoltaic systems has concluded that small-scale solar systems are in fact better for the environment than even the largest, and most efficient, solar farm.

Historically, solar electric systems were so expensive that many felt they could not pay for themselves. Today’s reality could not be more different with renewables now the cheapest form of energy in the global mix. Not only that, solar panels can now easily repay the energy invested in their production many times over.

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