The "Great Disposal Era" of Solar Panels Comes January 14th, 19:16

Photovoltaic power generation is a representative of renewable energy.

Japan's solar power generation has expanded rapidly since 10 years ago, and is the third largest in the world after China and the United States.

But do you know that panels used for solar power have a limited lifespan?

Its lifespan is 20 to 30 years.

How should we respond to the looming “era of major disposal” of solar panels?

(Sendai Broadcasting Station reporter Yugo Takagaki)

A large number of panels are in the industrial waste factory ...

Late last month, I visited an industrial waste treatment plant in Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture, to cover the actual situation of solar panel disposal.

Then, the site is full of used solar panels.

The panels, which were about 1000, were piled up to the height of my height.

"I'd rather dispose of this, though ..."

says Shinichi Kikuchi, a director of this company.

About 30,000 solar panels were brought into the company last year.

Most of them were damaged by the weight of snow, but some of them are said to have been brought in in a state where they could still be used.

Director Kikuchi, a waste disposal company

"The panel about 10 years ago has poor power generation efficiency. In

Japan, the places where power generation equipment can be installed are limited, so if you want to improve the power generation efficiency, you should replace it with a new panel. That's right. I think there will be

more and more panel replacements in the future. "

Japan's solar power generation more than 20 times in 10 years

The rapid spread of solar power generation in Japan was triggered by the national feed-in tariff system introduced in 2012, 10 years ago.

Under this system, the entry of businesses is rapidly expanding because electric power companies buy electricity generated from renewable energies such as solar power, wind power, and geothermal power at high prices.

The cumulative amount of solar power installed in Japan is about 60 million kilowatts, which has increased more than 20 times in the last 10 years.

However, solar panels that are exposed to the elements outdoors have a limited lifespan.

The useful life is about 20 to 30 years.

For this reason, it is expected that a large number of panels will reach the end of their lives after the mid-2030s.

The Ministry of the Environment estimates that around 2040, 800,000 tons of used solar panels will be emitted annually, which is about 200 times the current level.

Large disposal era There is a risk of illegal dumping

The approaching "era of large disposal" of solar panels.

Solar panels are ruggedly built to withstand the harsh natural environment, so disassembling for recycling can be laborious and costly.

For this reason, it is believed that many are landfilled when they are disposed of.

However, it has been pointed out that there is a risk that the panel will be left as it is or illegally dumped even after the power generation business is over because it costs money to dispose of it in landfill.

In order to prevent illegal dumping of solar panels, the government plans to start a system in July that obliges power generation companies to save a part of the income earned by selling electricity in advance as expenses for removal and disposal. , A similar system has been introduced in Europe, which is leading the way in environmental efforts.

However, environmental economics experts point out that Japan's measures are not sufficient.

Professor Hosoda of Chubu University

"As of 2018, the amount of solar panels emitted in Japan is 4400 tons.

It is estimated by the national government that 3400 tons are reused and 1000 tons are recycled or landfilled. The new system in the country gives operators the freedom to choose between recycling and landfill disposal, so many vendors

may

choose landfill disposal, which is less expensive than recycling

. There is a limit to the capacity of the disposal site, so if recycling does not spread, there is concern that it will eventually lead to illegal dumping and illegal export. "

Solar panels for strawberry cultivation

Under these circumstances, private companies have begun efforts to promote the recycling of used solar panels.

Of these, Marubeni, a major trading company, is conducting research in collaboration with an agricultural corporation in Miyagi Prefecture to see if used solar panels can be used to grow strawberries.

The part of the glass contained in the panel is used.

It is said that if you mix shells with glass, bake it, and mix it with the soil for strawberry cultivation, an appropriate space will be created in the soil, and water retention and breathability will increase.

As a result of experiments using ordinary glass, it was confirmed that strawberry seedlings grow better when cultivated in soil mixed with glass.

For this reason, trading companies and agricultural corporations have decided to start full-scale experiments using glass for used solar panels from the new fiscal year.

Marubeni Watanabe

"The big issue in the future is how to make profits

. I think it will take some time before it can be established as a business.

Other businesses may enter the business where profits cannot be expected .

Since we can't expect it, it's important how we take the lead and create a new way to generate profits.

Unless someone does it, a cyclical business will not start.

I would like to work patiently. "

Agricultural corporation GRA Katsube

"Efforts to effectively utilize the waste generated by solar power generation have great significance.

It will take time to actually introduce it, such as cost and effect analysis, but it will be environmentally friendly. I hope that it will be very interesting when consumers come to the trend of choosing strawberries grown in a gentle way. "

Recycling of solar panels that have begun to move.

In addition, Idemitsu Kosan, a major oil wholesaler, will start full-scale development of recycled solar panel recycling technology that reduces costs and environmental burden from the new fiscal year in collaboration with the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). I'm going to make it.

In addition, a small and medium-sized enterprise in Okayama Prefecture, which sells solar panels, has developed a device that recycles most of the panels using thermal decomposition technology, and plans to commercialize it from the new fiscal year.

Experts point out the need for public-private partnerships with legislation to encourage recycling.

Professor Hosoda of Chubu University

"From this April, a law will be enforced that requires businesses that discharge a large amount of plastic waste to set recycling targets, but solar panels should also be recycled by power generation businesses in the same way. I think it will be necessary to establish a law to encourage them in the future.

In addition to supporting technological development by the national government, efforts for public-private partnerships such as the development of sales destinations by private companies will become even more important in order to foster a market that handles recycled products .

increase"

Correspondence to the negative part of solar power generation

Renewable energy that is indispensable for the realization of a carbon-free society.

The national government plans to cover "36% to 38%" of the domestic power source composition with renewable energy in 2030, and solar power generation is expected to play a leading role.

However, due to concerns about the damage to the natural environment and landscape, residents are opposed to the construction of large-scale solar power generation in some areas, and more and more local governments are enacting ordinances to regulate the construction of solar panels. ..

Photovoltaic power generation is said to be energy that is kind to nature.

Since it is accepted as a truly clean energy, it is time to set foot on the ground and discuss the treatment of solar panels that have reached the end of their useful life.

Sendai Broadcasting Station Reporter

Yugo Takagaki Joined

in 2014

Yamaguchi Station After working at Akita Station, he has been in charge of economics at Sendai Station for three years.