As part of Inovateus Solar’s mission to build a brilliant tomorrow, we’ve recently implemented new sustainable solar development practices, striving to make at least half of our projects “zero waste” in 2020 and beyond. But what does it actually mean for a commercial or utility solar installation project to be “zero waste?”
Like many new concepts in growth industries, the solar and energy storage industries have no set standards or certifications for being zero waste. While domestic and international solar organizations are developing voluntary PV panel recycling practices, there’s little discussion about how to manage all the waste from actually building the solar project.
In terms of a zero-waste definition, a resolution by the U.S. Conference of Mayors defines zero waste with the following principles:
- Extended Producer Responsibility and Product Redesign
- Reduce Waste, Toxicity, Consumption, and Packaging
- Repair, Reuse and Donate
- Recycle
- Compost
- Down Cycle and Beneficial Reuse
- Waste-Based Energy as Disposal
- Landfill Waste as Disposal
The above principles can certainly apply to solar projects, but we wanted to develop a simpler definition and publicly share our best practices for “zero waste” solar construction. Inovateus recently released a more comprehensive sustainability report that benchmarks our sustainability efforts and our long and short-term sustainability plans for our projects. (Download the report here.)
For now, here’s how we plan to accomplish zero waste for all of our commercial, industrial, and utility solar job sites:
For most projects, Inovateus will include zero waste at no additional cost. However, for some locations, local recycling may not be available, or there may be other factors that require a small adder or a credit. For example, some recyclers will pay for scrap metals and paper, while others will charge a fee for collection. Consequently, each job site will now be assessed for zero waste management with a dollar-per watt adder or subtractor after the zero waste initiative scope for the project has been agreed upon.
Inovateus will make sure that all Inovateus workers or subcontractors are taught or debriefed at the beginning of the project on how to identify and sort materials for reuse or recycling as they are accumulated.
Inovateus will identify all materials that can be reused or recycled before the project begins. Typically, solar project waste includes cardboard, wood, pallets, paper, most plastics (shrink wrap and banding), metals (typically aluminum), glass, concrete, gravel, and dirt. To organize these items, Inovateus will install primary reuse and recycle receptacles in strategic, or permissible, locations on site. This location will be used as the final sorting area for material reuse or for recycling to be shipped out.
During construction, smaller receptacles or pallets will be used throughout the site to collect materials. Once full, materials will be emptied into the primary containers.
For material that has to be shipped out for recycling or reuse, lower carbon-emitting carriers will be used for transportation when available. To reduce transportation fossil fuels, Inovateus will contract with local recyclers.
Solar equipment can sometimes get damaged in shipping. Inovateus will make sure that all damaged equipment will be replaced and recovered by the manufacturer or by Inovateus.
There is a growing market for some solar project waste materials, such as copper wire, steel, aluminum, tin, wood, and paper. Any additional cost savings or revenue gains will be assessed and distributed to specific contracted partners.
Inovateus Solar is proud to be leading the way on solar job site zero waste. We welcome and encourage other solar developers to join us in building a brilliant tomorrow with sustainable solar project development. Together, we can create a cleaner and more sustainable future.
