TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Economics Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) has reaffirmed that water quality tests have confirmed the solar power installations on the surface of Tainan’s Wushantou Reservoir have had no impact on the reservoir’s water quality, CNA reported.
According to the Water Resources Agency, the solar facility covers about 1.12% of the reservoir’s surface area and does not affect its operations. The facility generates around 18 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and reduces carbon emissions by about 9,000 tonnes annually.
Taiwan Cogeneration Corp., the operator of the solar facility on the reservoir, said that since the project launched in May 2022, it has used clean water to wash dust off the solar panels. The company also commissions three related organizations to conduct water quality tests five times a year, with results showing no impact on the reservoir’s water quality.
However, Vincent Su (蘇一峰), a doctor at Taipei City Hospital, claimed the reservoir’s water quality has significantly deteriorated since the installation of the solar panels, alleging the company uses chemicals to clean the panels. In response, the company said it may pursue legal action and urged individuals to stop spreading false information.
Tainan’s Economic Development Bureau added that solar panels are made mostly of silicon, a non-toxic material. The panels are tightly sealed with glass and aluminum frames to prevent any leakage. The support structures are also tested to resist rust and corrosion.
DPP Legislator Chen Ting-fei (陳亭妃) called on the economics ministry to halt further approvals for solar panel installations on four reservoirs in Tainan, citing environmental and public concerns. She said the operating permit for the solar facility on Wushantou Reservoir is valid until April 2032, and urged the ministry not to renew the lease once it expires.
Chen said the reservoir plays a crucial role in supporting the city’s agriculture, daily water supply, and ecological balance. She highlighted that no infrastructure potentially harmful to the environment should be allowed and demanded the ministry release water quality test results related to the reservoir.
Kung pledged the ministry will strengthen oversight of the solar panel cleaning procedure on reservoirs. He explained that solar power projects are submitted to the ministry for approval only after gaining consent from local governments.
If part of the public opposes solar panel installations on reservoir surfaces, the review process is suspended until thorough communication with residents is completed, Kung added.
TPP Legislator Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) noted that current regulations do not require environmental assessments before the installation of solar panels. Such facilities have been installed in areas like hillsides, conservation zones, coastal waters, and reservoirs. Huang suggested the environment ministry consider making the assessment a requirement before approving such projects.
Meanwhile, Kaohsiung’s Fengshan and Agongdian reservoirs have also had solar facilities installed on their surfaces. KMT Legislator Chen Ching-hui (陳菁徽) said that Fengshan Reservoir is an important wetland for the city. She added that installations should not proceed without prior environmental review.
