The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is set to complete new guidelines for managing solar panel waste by next year, according to Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

In a Senate session today, Nik Nazmi revealed that the guidelines will be developed based on current regulations and advancements in technology. "The process has already begun, and we aim to finalize these guidelines by next year to provide a comprehensive reference for the industry. We will explore new methods for waste management using the latest technology," he said.

Nik Nazmi was responding to questions from Senator Noorita Sual regarding the latest policies on the disposal and recycling of solar panel waste. The minister outlined that the Department of Environment has licensed 17 facilities across the country for the recovery of solar panel waste. These facilities are located in Selangor (4), Penang (7), Negeri Sembilan (2), Johor (2), Perak (1), and Sarawak (1).

These licensed facilities are equipped to recover valuable metals from the waste, including cadmium and selenium.

The minister also emphasized the ministry's commitment to promoting a circular economy through various reuse initiatives to address global challenges such as environmental pollution, biodiversity loss, and climate change.

"We are considering introducing a 'buy-back' system and specialized collection centers for solar panels, along with an 'extended product responsibility' requirement. We understand the challenges in managing solar panel waste, and manufacturers will need to take responsibility for proper disposal," Nik Nazmi added.