TRULY CLEAN ENERGY –
AUSTRALIA’S PV RECYCLING PROGRAM
Edited from article published on Linkedin by Australian Marketing Manager Minnie Xu 21st Jan. 2019. Canadian Solar are industry leaders in reducing the environmental footprint of solar panels, having developed a solar panel recycling program with recycling company Reclaim PV Recycling in Australia. Canadian Solar is committed to reducing all potentially harmful effects on the environment, as far as possible, and maximising those activities which have a positive environmental impact. It is this commitment that drove the Australian team to develop and maintain this industry leading recycling program; a much-needed initiative at the forefront of tackling the PV waste management challenge facing the solar industry in Australia, and an efficient way to significantly decrease the overall environment footprint of solar panels. Canadian Solar Australia continue to promote a voluntary return and recycle program for the end-of-life solar panels. Canadian Solar’s PV panels are manufactured with uncompromising quality control and adherence to strict international standards and it is important to us that this commitment is maintained through to the end of life for our solar modules. A high-quality solar panel has a guaranteed lifespan of 25 to 30 years and experience in the field shows that up to 40 years is possible. Even after a serviceable life of decades, the materials of a solar panel have value and any PV module requires proper disposal. A recycling program such as that offered by Canadian Solar through Reclaim should be taken up by all manufacturers and importers of PV into Australia to ensure PV panels don’t end up in landfill. For more information on how Canadian Solar make the different on the environment, please check our recent sustainability report.