The Natural Resources and Environment Committee of Georgia convened on February 20, 2025, to discuss significant developments in the state's solar energy sector and the implications of solar panel disposal. The meeting highlighted Georgia's current solar capacity of 7,300 megawatts, with an anticipated addition of 3,600 megawatts over the next five years, bringing the total to 10,800 megawatts. This expansion will result in approximately 38 million solar panels in the state, raising concerns about the disposal of an estimated 425,000 tons of solar panel waste by 2050.

The discussion underscored the economic potential of recycling solar panels, which could benefit local manufacturers and create jobs. A representative from Dalton, Bartow County, emphasized the importance of establishing solar panel recycling facilities to efficiently recover valuable materials such as metals and rare minerals. This initiative aims to reduce landfill waste while supporting the solar manufacturing industry.

Committee members raised questions regarding responsibility for the disposal of solar panels, particularly whether landowners or farmers would bear this burden. The representative clarified that the responsibility for disposal is still being established, indicating ongoing discussions about the logistics of solar panel waste management.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore the implications of solar panel recycling and disposal, as well as the economic opportunities it presents for Georgia's solar industry. The committee plans to continue addressing these issues in future sessions, aiming to create a sustainable framework for managing solar energy growth and its environmental impact.