Solar panel waste management guidelines are expected to be completed by 2025
KUALA LUMPUR: Better guidelines for managing the nation’s solar panel waste are expected to be ready by next year, said Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.
He said the production of the guidelines was guided by existing regulations and the latest technological developments.
“This process has already started, and we hope that these guidelines will be ready by next year, God willing, as a reference for the industry.
“Based on existing technology, we will look at new ways to manage this waste,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly today.
He said this when responding to a question from Senator Noorita Sual, who wanted to know the latest policy on the disposal and recycling of solar panel waste and the latest steps taken by the ministry to overcome the problem.
He said that so far, the Department of Environment has licensed 17 facilities to recover solar panel waste in the country, which consist of four facilities in Selangor, Penang (seven), two each in Negeri Sembilan and Johor, and one each in Perak and Sarawak.
Nik Nazmi said the facility is capable of recovering solar panel waste to produce high-value metals, including cadmium and selenium.
He said the ministry is also committed to promoting and encouraging the concept of a circular economy through various reuse initiatives to address global challenges such as environmental pollution, loss of biodiversity, and climate change.
“Among the things we want to bring is the principle of what is called ‘buy back’ or a specific and centralized collection and recovery center for solar panels and also the condition of ‘extended product responsibility’ because we know the challenges in managing this solar panel waste.
“Therefore, the solar panel manufacturers have a responsibility to manage solar waste properly. This is also a good principle that is being seen, for example, in the management of plastic waste and other matters,” he said.
