IBM says it’s found an earth-friendly way to recycle the silicon wafers used in its computer chip manufacturing operations - it’s helping to turn them into solar panels.To recycle the wafers, IBM is using a process that removes transistor patterns embedded in them. The patterns usually prevent silicon wafers from being reused along with other silicon products because they represent closely guarded intellectual property.
As a result, the tech industry discards about three million silicon wafers per year, IBM estimated.
With the patterns removed, IBM can safely sell its used silicon wafers from its Burlington, Vt., plant to manufacturers that can turn them into solar cells or panels. IBM said it’s also implementing the process at a plant in East Fishkill, N.Y.
The company said it plans to share details of the pattern removal process with other chip makers. The process was recently awarded the “Most Valuable Pollution Prevention Award” for 2007 from the environmental group The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable.
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Something I find slightly comical is how so many people will say that it isn’t worth it to add solar energy to your home because it takes too long for the system to “pay itself off”. If you save up the money and have a system installed you suddenly have a tiny utility bill, if any bill at all. To me it’s a simple cash-flow equation.
Today’s society is very much an instant gratification mind set. When it comes to green energy people don’t look at the long term benefits only the short term gains (or costs in this case). The initial investment into solar power equipment is enough to scare away the average homeowner. Most people recognize the benefits however we don’t always do what’s best for ourselves (or our planet). Thanks for you comment. JT