The Environment Minister says water quality testing has been conducted at
photovoltaic sites in Chia-yi and Tainan and the results meet public health
standards.

The Ministry has ordered operators to remove the damaged solar panels within
two weeks and will continue monitoring the water and soil quality.

An estimated 145-thousand solar panels from 33 sites were partially or
totally ruined by Typhoon Danas when it made landfall in Chia-yi 10 days ago.

The broken pieces were strewn by strong winds into ponds, along the seashore,
and over rice fields, raising concerns about potential environmental
pollution.

Minister Peng Qi-ming says today that solar panels are consisted of aluminum
frames, glass, EVA films, solar energy generation components and plastic back
sheets, and they are classified as industrial waste instead of hazardous
waste.

He says the Ministry will closely monitor the clean-up efforts by the solar
energy companies.

(JL)