KUALA LUMPUR – Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said the government will be increasing the capacity of the country’s solar system up to approximately 40 gigawatts by 2050.
As such, he said solar panel waste is expected to reach about 40 million tonnes at the end of the power plant’s operating period.
In managing the solar panel waste, he said the government, through relevant regulatory agencies, will explore aspects of waste management to ensure comprehensive handling.
“(This includes) the development of collection and buyback centres that are specific or centralised for solar panels and setting the conditions of ‘extended producer responsibility’ against components and solar panels used,” he said in a parliamentary written reply.
Nik Nazmi was responding to Wong Chen (Subang-PH), who asked about the estimated amount of solar panel waste produced by 2050 and what the plans of the government are for end-of-life management for solar panels.
According to Nik Nazmi, Malaysia’s current renewable energy capacity level is at 25%, bringing it closer to the nation’s aim of 31% RE share in the national installed capacity mix by 2025. – October 26, 2023