The management of waste in the form of solar panels and wind turbines has become a major issue for proponents of these new energy sources. (Costfoto/NurPhoto)
There are concerns about what will happen to earlier generations of panels, turbines and batteries that boomed over the past decade, they write, and management of “e-waste” will play an increasingly important role. Shirley Webber.
“Chinese manufacturers are churning out solar panels, causing a global glut and a collapse in prices. 80% of solar panels are made in China, but they are so cheap that they are now being used to line garden fences in Germany and the Netherlands.”
In early April, an article in the Financial Times (FT.com) gained traction across various media platforms, highlighting the proliferation of low-cost solar panels around the world, with supply far outstripping demand. This highly acclaimed piece of business media sparked reflection on the role of waste in the renewable energy ecosystem.
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