African nations draft rules for clean tech waste surge
African governments are developing waste management policies for solar panels and batteries as installations soar.
Two separate policy developments highlight different facets of managing the clean energy transition. African officials are drafting rules to handle the coming wave of waste from solar panels and batteries. Meanwhile, the UK government is considering offering carmakers credits for installing vehicle-to-grid technology in new electric vehicles.
African clean tech waste rules
African governments are formulating policies to manage waste from solar panels, batteries, and other clean energy equipment as installations surge dramatically. Data from energy think-tank Ember projects the continent will install a record 17 gigawatts of solar capacity in 2026, marking a third consecutive year of record growth.
This rapid adoption, while positive for energy access and reducing emissions, risks creating a significant environmental problem if end-of-life equipment is not handled properly. Anselm Marungu, Namibia’s deputy minister of environment, forestry and tourism, stated that sound policies are needed to ensure valuable materials are recovered. He warned that solar panels and batteries "must not become tomorrow's environmental burden". The International Energy Agency estimates recycling could reduce growth in new mining needs by 40% for copper and cobalt by 2050.
Nigeria, as Africa’s second-largest importer of solar technologies, has drafted a national policy on waste management for off-grid renewable energy equipment. The policy, awaiting cabinet approval, would require producers, distributors, and importers to manage equipment throughout its lifecycle. Officials emphasize that improper disposal can release hazardous substances, contaminating soil and water and posing health risks to communities and waste workers.
UK vehicle-to-grid incentives
The UK government is considering giving manufacturers incentives to add vehicle-to-grid technology to electric cars as part of a review of the zero-emission vehicle mandate. This technology allows cars to charge when electricity is cheap and sell power back to the grid during high demand, effectively turning them into "power plants on wheels".
The proposed incentive would let carmakers earn a credit for selling cars with bidirectional charging capability. This credit would then allow them to sell an additional petrol car without facing fines for missing electric vehicle sales targets. The government is also preparing to cut electric vehicle sales targets under the ZEV mandate, a move environmental groups say could lead to an additional 147 million tonnes of carbon emissions by 2050.
Critics argue the incentive could have a perverse effect. Ben Nelmes, chief executive of thinktank New AutoMotive, said carmakers should only be rewarded if the technology is actually used, not just for fitting it. He noted the credits could be worth thousands per car for hardware costing only a few hundred pounds. Currently, only a fraction of UK electric vehicle drivers use vehicle-to-grid technology, with consumer focus remaining on upfront costs and daily practicality. Some early adopters with compatible vehicles and chargers can already sell power back through energy companies, with potential annual savings cited around £620.
