<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/too-valuable-to-throw-out-labor-announces-first-national-solar-panel-recycling-pilot-program/>
"The federal government has announced a $25 million pilot program to establish
up to 100 collection sites across the country to deal with the growing
challenge of dealing with discarded rooftop solar panels, and ultimately
household batteries.
The program was announced on Friday after the release of a Productivity
Commission report – actually completed last August – that recommended such a
program to deal with the soaring number of rooftop PV panels and the upcoming
challenge of dealing with end-of-life household batteries.
The initial program will focus on rooftop solar panels, with the issue now at a
critical point given that in some states more than one third of new
installations are now replacing pre-existing solar systems.
The government argues that the solar panels contain valuable material and
strategic minerals – such as copper, aluminium and silicon – that can support
the renewable transition, but also toxic elements that can’t be allowed to be
dumped on the side of the road and in bushland, as identified in the
Productivity Commission report.
“Only a small percentage of end-of-life solar panels are currently recovered
for recycling with most panels are either stockpiled, dumped in landfill or
exported for re-use,” environment minister Murray Watt said in a statement.
“But we think solar panels are made up of materials that are too valuable to
throw out. These materials can be repurposed to support the clean energy
transition and help reduce what we send to landfill, improving out natural
environment.”
Currently, only 17 per cent of rooftop solar panels are recycled, and the PC
report identifies up to $7.3 billion in benefits through reduced waste and
reuse of materials."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
