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Michael Merrylees is today's guest speaker. He was welcomed by President Darren and introduced to members as a former member of our Club and is the General Manager of Commercial Enterprises for Kurrajong Waratah Industries.
Michael gave a very interesting and detailed talk of Kurrajong's latest venture. He was asked by CEO Ray Carrol to investigate the feasibility of solar panel recycling. Through a series of slides, Michael detailed a great amount of information about solar panels, their composition, life expectancy, recycling and rehabilitation. With the use of a powerpoint presentation he helped us understand the uses, benefits and the huge task of dealing with solar panel waste.
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| Some background on Kurrajong Waratah. |
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| The problem of waste and what to do about it. |
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| Are we able to keep producing new solar panels without recycling? |
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| Valuable minerals are used in the manufacture of each solar panel. |
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| How do they work? |
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| Joint venture partner will be Circular Solar Solutions. The program will be known as Automated Recycling of Solar Panels or ARSON for short. |
Michael said that Kurrajong is already taking solar panels which can be dropped off at their recycling centre. Processing is currently limited but will ramp up when plant is developed. He anticipates that it will take a few years for process to become profitable.
After answering a number of questions from the floor, Michael was thanked by Darren and given a bottle of Borambola Red as a token of thanks. Members showed their appreciation with applause for an interesting and informative talk.