Comment by e40
7 years ago
Can solar panels be made in ways they make their current appliances and tools? I'm guessing not. I'm guessing a huge reason solar panels are made in China is because their production pollutes a lot[1]. I'm guessing the Amish are against anything that pollutes.
[1] https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelshellenberger/2018/05/23...
But gasoline & diesel are okay despite polluting? That doesn't make sense, nor does it follow that petroleum based fuels are permitted despite be extracted and refined using tools and appliances well beyond what most Amish communities currently permit.
The Amish don't use solar because it's green, they use it because it enables them to stay off the grid.
the argument was made that they don't use solar because it is not green enough. of course we are not going to get the answer here by mere speculation.
This criticism of solar power is mostly propaganda from the fossil fuel industry.
There are 5+ types of solar panels. Cadmium-Telluride solar cells, the ones criticized for toxic components, only make up about 5% of all solar panels produced.
Most conventional solar panels are made from Silicon. Silicon is produced by refining sand. It's not toxic and makes up objects that we use every day (i.e. windows or cups).