Concerns about the environmental impact of solar battery end of life are not too great

Head of EVN Business Department Nguyen Quoc Dung shared at the seminar. Photo: NLĐ

That was also one of the main contents discussed by delegates at the seminar "Clean energy and solutions to reduce electricity costs for people and businesses", organized by Ho Chi Minh City Electricity Corporation (EVNHCMC) in coordination with Nguoi Lao Dong Newspaper in Ho Chi Minh City on April 10.

At the seminar, answering readers about the cost of investing in rooftop solar power and the payback period, General Director of SPC Solar Energy Joint Stock Company Luu Manh Thuc gave a specific calculation: if a family consumes 1.2 - 1.5 million VND/month for electricity, if they install electrical equipment to generate about 6kWh and generate 600 - 720kWh each month. Then they can recover more than 1 million VND/month for electricity. Therefore, the payback period is about 4 to 5 years, because the cost of installing electrical equipment with suitable capacity and storage batteries is about 60 million VND.

Meanwhile, solving the problem of excess electricity, Head of Business Department of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) Nguyen Quoc Dung said that according to calculations, even though businesses and people have carefully considered the optimal capacity when installing solar power systems, there is still a possibility of excess electricity output at some points in time.

Mr. Ha Dang Son, energy expert, Director of the Center for Energy and Green Growth Research. Photo: NLĐ

To address this situation, the government has issued a clear policy in Decree 58 allowing people and businesses to resell surplus electricity from rooftop solar systems at 10-20% of the total capacity. This regulation is intended to partially offset investment costs, contributing to saving overall costs for society.

Also related to the regulation that only a maximum of 20% of excess electricity can be sold back to EVN, Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Business Association (HUBA) Dinh Hong Ky asked, in the future, is it possible to increase this rate?

Regarding this issue, Mr. Ha Dang Son, energy expert, Director of the Center for Energy and Green Growth Research, said that it is necessary to consider raising the electricity sales level beyond the threshold of 20% to encourage businesses to invest in clean energy sources. That could be businesses cooperating with the Electricity industry, paying additional costs for operating capacity in the form of subscription, allowing the Electricity industry to operate reserve capacity and businesses to sell more surplus electricity. In addition, it is necessary to apply a two-component electricity sales mechanism, clearly distinguishing between peak hours and normal hours instead of applying a uniform price.

In addition, an issue that people and businesses are concerned about is battery life. According to the leader of Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), the first solar panel system installed in the world in 1986 is still operating well and has not needed to be dismantled. This shows that the current solar panel production technology is very durable, high quality and has a long life.

EVNHCMC Deputy General Director Bui Trung Kien. Photo: NLĐ

On the other hand, solar panel recycling technology has also been developed, helping to process solar panels effectively and environmentally friendly after use. Therefore, concerns about the environmental impact when solar panels expire are not too great.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy General Director of the City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC) Bui Trung Kien gave an optimistic signal that since Decree 58 was issued, the number of customers installing rooftop solar power systems in the city has increased to nearly 500 customers, mainly large customers with a total capacity of about 46 MWp, equivalent to 15% compared to the period before 2021.

"When people and businesses install rooftop solar power systems, there must be a strict periodic inspection and maintenance process. At the same time, the selection of product suppliers must ensure reputation and quality," Mr. Bui Trung Kien noted.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/lo-ngai-ve-tac-dong-moi-truong-khi-het-han-su-dung-pin-mat-troi-la-khong-qua-lon-698502.html