We are going to have huge problems with managing used solar panels and lithium batteries. Producers must be responsible for managing them, including recycling them. There may be a need for alternatives to lithium batteries. R & D should be supported.
Totally agree. I have a saying anyone who thinks Batteries & Solar Panels will save the environment must have Heavy Earth Materials in their head. If they did not need so much lead, lithium, copper and nickel renewables may be a feasible solution to clean energy production. Disposing of the waste of renewables also including Wind Turbines and Transmission lines is going to be a major environmental issue in the future if we continue down this path.
Yes its important to create a generally more sustainable and circular economy. R&D investment is good - supporting those recycling initiatives which are already there. Important not to cost or disincentivize the energy transition. Broader question is: how do we recycle AA batteries, paper, plastic, clothes, cars, boats, building materials (bricks, steel, wood). Does renewables have to solve all the problems?
I like the idea that producers should be responsible for the whole of life implications of their products but I think it is weird to just suggest this applies to solar panels - if we really care about waste (vs trying to delay the transition) then we would suggest this approach for all products (which would be an AMAZING way to reduce emissions). We should get some facts on recycling panels - I had some taken off my roof that were recycled / precious metals reused / panels sent to farm sheds et
A quick look at the total waste produced by our society shows that the amount waste solar panels will add is minuscule. This problem has been hugely overstated.
Making producers responsible the costs of solar and battery recycling/disposal would be OK if ALL products were treated similarly.
I do not have an issue with solar pannels or the batteries. I just want to make sure that we do not make the same mistakes we have made with plastic, iphones etc when a process for disposal and recycling is an afterthought rather than built in from the beginning.
I totally agree, however nearly all the solar panels and lithium batteries are produced in China. Good luck trying to get them to clean up their mess....
Solar panels cannot be recycled without huge subsidies. Australian governments ban disposal in land fill so replacement will be costly too, destroying a short term cash benefit favouring richer people now. This is undemocratic.
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