The path of Typhoon Danas was unusual — it swept through the Taiwan Strait in the middle of the night and directly hit the Chiayi-Tainan coastal plain, its winds causing multiple power lines to collapse and damaging some solar power facilities. After the storm settled, some familiar voices resurfaced, fueling public concern with claims that broken solar panels “leak toxic substances and pollute the environment.”
As an organization that has long been dedicated to the research and development of photovoltaics, we understand those concerns. This is not the first time such worries have come up, but they reflect a gap in public understanding. What are solar panels? How do they truly perform under constant wind and sun exposure? How can they be managed properly?
The most common type of solar panel in Taiwan is the crystalline silicon solar module. Its main components include tempered glass, an aluminum frame, plastic film, silicon cells and a back sheet — all of which are stable, solid materials that do not contain liquid electrolytes. They are unlike the more familiar dry cell batteries or lead-acid batteries in that they do not leak liquid when damaged. Prior to leaving the factory, the modules undergo encapsulation, and must meet the International Electrotechnical Commission’s standards for weather resistance, ultraviolet protection and salt spray testing to ensure they can last for at least 20 years outdoors.
Do broken solar modules contaminate water sources when soaked?
Major domestic industry players have conducted numerous experiments to answer this question. For example, after intentionally damaging solar modules, they left them submerged for one week in rainwater or tap water with a pH between 6 and 8. They then tested the water for metals such as lead, copper and zinc. The results indicated either undetectable levels of these substances or levels far below the Ministry of Environment’s standards for drinking water.
Although damaged solar modules are nontoxic, they still pose physical risks — such as injury from broken glass or traffic interference — so the government still requires that they are promptly removed. The public’s concerns deserve our consideration, and it is the responsibility of the scientific and technological community to use thorough testing and comprehensive data to provide evidence-based answers.
Where do solar panels go after they break?
Taiwan has already established a recycling system to address this issue. The ministry in 2019 added a new waste code for end-of-life solar photovoltaic panels — D-2528 — and established a recycling framework to ensure the proper handling of their collection, removal and inspection. The Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) has also been collaborating with the industry to develop various dismantling and material separation technologies — such as dry disassembly and heat-assisted stripping methods — that would allow for the recovery of components such as silicon cells, glass and metals for reuse. This is a huge step toward achieving a circular economy.
The positive role that solar energy can play following disasters is worth our attention.
In recent years, the ITRI has continuously promoted regional microgrids and distributed green energy storage systems in the hope that solar power can become more than just a day-to-day source of electricity — it could become a strong backup for power supply during emergencies and disasters. In response to Typhoon Danas, we deployed the E-Cube mobile solar storage system, which has independent power supply capabilities, to support areas affected by the disaster by providing temporary lighting and device charging. The E-Cube system integrates solar modules, batteries and smart controls — it is a concrete example of how solar energy applications can evolve from simple power generation to resilient emergency response.
At the end of last year, the cumulative global installed capacity of solar energy had exceeded 2,200 gigawatts. Taiwan accounts for about 15 gigawatts — a small proportion. However, as the frequency of extreme weather events increases and the urgent need for energy transition has become a global consensus, solar power is an important part of today’s main renewable energy system. Faced with such a development, we must continue to supervise and cautiously manage the use of solar energy. However, these discussions should be founded on scientific data and practical experience, rather than being stuck in a phase of speculation and emotionally amplified rumors.
Solar energy is not perfect, but it is both transparent and understandable. It is also an indispensable part of Taiwan’s future energy options. Handling post-disaster reconstruction is much more than repairing power lines and picking up debris — we must understand the energy technologies on which we rely and earnestly consider how to make them more stable, safe and sustainable.
Liu Chih-wen is a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and director of the Green Electric Energy Research Center at National Taiwan University.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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