🎓☀️ I’m conducting an academic research on what happens to solar equipment when it reaches the end of its life and I need your input

[Musah Gracie]

I’m currently doing my Honours research on what happens to solar panels, batteries and inverters when they are replaced, stop working or reach the end of their useful life in South Africa.

As more homes and businesses move towards solar, I think we also need to start asking an important question: what happens to all this equipment afterwards?

Does it get stored, reused, sold, thrown away or recycled? Do homeowners know what to do with it? What are installers currently doing with old equipment? And what makes responsible disposal difficult?

That’s what I’m trying to understand through this research, not just what is supposed to happen, but what is actually happening in practice.

I’m also making enquiries with the City of Cape Town to understand whether there are currently any programmes, initiatives or plans addressing solar equipment and solar waste. The responses from this study will be very useful in helping me understand the situation from the perspective of people who are actually dealing with solar equipment.

Solar homeowner?
Please take about 5 minutes to share your experience:
https://form.jotform.com/262071841760051

Solar installer?
Please take about 10 minutes to share your experience:
https://form.jotform.com/262263293988067

Your responses are completely anonymous. There are no right or wrong answers, and I’m not collecting this information to identify or judge anyone. I genuinely want your honest experiences and views.

The information will be used for my academic research only.

I know everyone is busy, so even taking a few minutes to participate would mean a lot to me. Your experience is something I cannot get from a textbook or policy document. Every response helps me build a better picture of what is actually happening on the ground and what could potentially be improved.

Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to participate or share this post.

 

[EmmanuelGoldstein]

Answer:

 

[B-1]

Let Me ChatGPT For You

 

[biena]

As more homes and businesses move towards solar, I think we also need to start asking an important question: what happens to all this equipment afterwards?

Goes to a landfill. The End.

 

[wingnut771]

Goes to a landfill. The End.

No, it’s still working so it goes to gumtree or descendant or dependant/friend in need.

 

[rh1]

Since my system is only 4 years old, I will make a decision in 6 years time.

 

[itareanlnotani]

I've had a complete system since 2011.

I've replaced some panels, purely as I could double my input for the same sizing. I resold mine.
Lead Acid Batteries - I gave to someone else for their system, and replaced with LFP.

Inverters are still running. Might replace at some point, but will continue using till they need replacement.

Labour is cheap, things will get recycled. Its not the west, where it costs too much to repair, so systems will be recommissioned and reused.

 

[ADrunkTeddyBear]

Currently upgrading to a 10kW Deye from a 5kW deye that I had since 2021. Just sold it to someone through FB marketplace for R6k

 

[ADrunkTeddyBear]

I’m currently doing my Honours research on what happens to solar panels, batteries and inverters when they are replaced, stop working or reach the end of their useful life in South Africa.

As more homes and businesses move towards solar, I think we also need to start asking an important question: what happens to all this equipment afterwards?

Does it get stored, reused, sold, thrown away or recycled? Do homeowners know what to do with it? What are installers currently doing with old equipment? And what makes responsible disposal difficult?

That’s what I’m trying to understand through this research, not just what is supposed to happen, but what is actually happening in practice.

I’m also making enquiries with the City of Cape Town to understand whether there are currently any programmes, initiatives or plans addressing solar equipment and solar waste. The responses from this study will be very useful in helping me understand the situation from the perspective of people who are actually dealing with solar equipment.

Solar homeowner?
Please take about 5 minutes to share your experience:
https://form.jotform.com/262071841760051

Solar installer?
Please take about 10 minutes to share your experience:
https://form.jotform.com/262263293988067

Your responses are completely anonymous. There are no right or wrong answers, and I’m not collecting this information to identify or judge anyone. I genuinely want your honest experiences and views.

The information will be used for my academic research only.

I know everyone is busy, so even taking a few minutes to participate would mean a lot to me. Your experience is something I cannot get from a textbook or policy document. Every response helps me build a better picture of what is actually happening on the ground and what could potentially be improved.

Thank you so much to everyone who takes the time to participate or share this post.

No option for selling it to someone who knows what to do? Plenty of people here on here, Carb facebook marketplace and some companies who buy old stuff and fix it up to use themselves, resell or just offer the services to people.

I personally am not afraid to open up something and try to fix it or get someone to repair it or just sell it to someone who can get better use out of it.