As vast solar plants multiply, so does the scrap, set to reach 19m tonnes by 2050. But disposing of the waste often falls to informal traders who risk injury when dismantling broken panels
The anti-reflective coating on solar glass, which gives it a blue tint, is shredded into tiny pieces. However, there is little value in much of the waste from solar plants.The anti-reflective coating on solar glass, which gives it a blue tint, is shredded into tiny pieces. However, there is little value in much of the waste from solar plants.
“While manufacturers claim decades of longevity, degradation of these panels sets in much sooner,” says Atif Mirza, director of Fusion Sprint Recycler, a solar-farm waste contractor in Uttar Pradesh. Panels can break during installation and transport or through exposure to monsoons and typhoons.About two-thirds of the waste is expected to originate from five states – Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh – which house eight of India’s 10 largest solar parks.
Mirza, who is the official contractor for Ayana Renewable Power’s plants across India’s solar parks, including in Pavagada, says he sells dismantled parts to traders but admits: “We don’t know what they do with it.”Because authorised e-waste contractors are often unwilling to handle the waste in accordance with the CPCB protocol, a network of informal operators – who dismantle, aggregate, transport and recycle panels – have stepped in to fill the gap.
Tayyab’s story is just one among many in the informal solar-waste sector, where workers find ways to extract value from the under-regulated but booming renewable-energy sector.Get a different world view with a roundup of the best news, features and pictures, curated by our global development teamHussain* is from a family of e-waste dealers in household appliances, computers and televisions, but has carved out a niche for himself handling solar waste.
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Regional Australia Institute calls for certainty in push to net zero emissions by 2050Two new reports find that regional Australia wants more certainty for the future as the country looks to decarbonise by 2050, with one stating the current 'largely unplanned, market-led approach' is unlikely to be effective.
Read more »
The Battle of Bedding: Clean Sheets vs. Dirty SheetsA couple argues over the frequency of changing bedsheets, with one advocating for weekly changes and the other being indifferent to it.
Read more »
‘Obvious path’: Warning about Australia’s futureAustralia must urgently reduce its reliance on coal and gas exports to meet its ambitious target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, an ex-Labor climate minister has warned.
Read more »
Emissions connected to top oil and gas firms may cause millions of heat deaths by 2100, study findsGlobal witness analysis suggests 11.5 million deaths could be caused by burning of fuel produced by 2050
Read more »
How often you should clean your fridge to keep it food-safe, and what to use to clean itThere are several factors to consider when determining how regularly you should give your fridge a thorough clean, including what you keep in it, how well it’s running and how well you keep on top of spills and leaks.
Read more »
Princess Catherine cancer diagnosis: The sad reason it took so long for Kate to come clean7NEWS brings you the latest local news from Australia and around the world. Stay up to date with all of the breaking sport, politics, entertainment, finance, weather and business headlines. Today's news, live updates & all the latest breaking stories from 7NEWS.
Read more »