One such Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO), Circular Energy, tells the OFM Business Hour that consumers must be aware of how to properly dispose of solar panels after use, otherwise the country could find itself in a landfill crisis in years to come. Circular Energy Spokesperson, Patricia Schröder, expanded on their concerns in the sit-down below: 

Schröder says back in 2016, the International Renewable Energy Agency and International Agency Photovoltaic Power Systems predicted that South Africa could accumulate between 750 000 and one million tons of photovoltaic waste by 2050. 

However, the rapid uptake of solar power by an increasing number of households and businesses owing to the country's ongoing energy crisis and newly imposed tax breaks for purchasing panels could push this number even higher. 

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"Solar power equipment typically has a lifespan of between 20 and 30 years, under optimal operating conditions. While this may seem a long way off, it is important that consumers are made aware of the need to properly dispose of used solar panels” she stressed.

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This as Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, announced in his budget speech that homeowners who install rooftop solar panels from 1 March 2023 will be able to claim a rebate of 25 per cent of the cost of the panels, up to a maximum of R15 000. Whilst the lesser rebate for households has been somewhat criticised for being too little, the tax breaks for businesses have been greatly welcomed. 

OFM