Taiwan's photovoltaic industry association dismissed public concerns about toxic liquid leakage from solar panels damaged by Typhoon Danas, saying the public is confusing solar cells with household batteries.
The Taiwan Photovoltaic Industry Association said July 14 that solar panels contain no liquid components and cannot leak, unlike rechargeable household batteries that contain materials such as nickel-metal hydride or nickel-cadmium.
Solar cells are solid materials encapsulated in structures similar to aluminum window frames, with glass packaging protecting internal chips and waterproof backing material comparable to household plumbing seals, the association said. All external-facing materials are non-toxic substances commonly used in daily life.
The 20-year-old trade group, which primarily manufactures solar cells and modules for export to markets including the European Union and Japan, has conducted damage and flood testing on panels from various Taiwan suppliers for over seven years.
Article translated by Vyra Wu and edited by Jack Wu
