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Environmental sustainability

06. September 2010 By:  Graham Peterson

I am inspired by the amount of companies which are informing me of their plans for wider and better recycling of solar materials and products that cannot be used anymore.

The EU PVSEC, although, looks at the staple of the PV world, that is manufacturing technology, is changing its vision to also look at the environmental side. I am delighted to find companies like First Solar telling me about their programs for recycling.

Collection of old modules, recycling them into new modules and the effort that is being shown by the companies here in placing no additional costs into collecting the old modules and packaging them for panel owners is inspiring. It is inspiring because it shows that the solar industry is committed to environment sustainability.

Often, the aspect of the environment is left behind. Yes, even in the world of renewables. However, waste is produced by the solar industry too. Old metal profiles and aged modules are rendered useless if not turned into something productive and useful. So I applaud the effort of the companies and their focus on renewable practices for the renewable energy industry too.