Typhoon Danas struck southern Taiwan with strong winds and heavy rain. As a result, it caused widespread damage to solar power systems. According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the storm wrecked 145,000 panels across Chiayi and Tainan. Altogether, these panels weighed nearly 2,800 tonnes.
Chiayi suffered the worst damage. Officials there counted about 114,000 damaged panels, which weighed roughly 2,200 tonnes. In particular, Budai Township experienced the most severe losses. The storm destroyed nearly 50,000 solar panels over fish farms in that area.
Meanwhile, Tainan also reported heavy losses. It lost 31,000 panels, which added up to about 600 tonnes of wreckage. Because of this damage, Chiayi’s solar energy output dropped by an estimated 38 megawatts. That decline impacted both homes and businesses.
Therefore, the Chiayi Economic Development Department quickly established a temporary collection site in Budai. Teams began transporting broken panels immediately. At the same time, local residents raised concerns about water safety. They feared toxins might leak into aquaculture ponds.
To respond, the Environmental Protection Administration conducted urgent water testing. They collected samples near the damaged solar panels over fish farms. Fortunately, the tests showed no dangerous levels of heavy metals. Water quality remained within national safety limits.
Furthermore, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming addressed public fears. He confirmed that the panels contain no toxic substances or liquids. Additionally, he stated that the government classifies them as general waste. He ordered operators to complete disposal within 45 days.
Moreover, the Taiwan Photovoltaic Industry Association explained the panel materials. These include aluminum frames and glass-coated solar cells. The backs of the panels use non-toxic plastic similar to water pipes. These features prevent toxic leaks during storms.
Likewise, Duan Rou-yong, a Hungkuang University professor, gave further clarification. He said solar panels over fish farms won’t leak unless exposed to chemicals for long periods. In 2024, Taiwan generated 289,173 gigawatt-hours of electricity. Of this total, solar power contributed around 5.3%. Ultimately, Typhoon Danas exposed a major risk to Taiwan’s green energy plans—especially those using solar panels over fish farms.
