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Contamination risks

Overview

There is no evidence to suggest that renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels or wind turbines, poses a contamination risk to livestock, crops or food production when co-located with agricultural land.

Concerns of contamination rose when Livestock Production Assurance prompted producers to consider the potential contamination risks with stock access to all infrastructure on-farm which can degrade with age, which included leaking electrical transformers, capacitors, hydraulic equipment, solar panels, wind turbines, coal seam gas structures or coal mine wastes, when undertaking a property risk assessment. These concerns have now been addressed in recent guidance from the program, which confirms it is safe for livestock to graze in paddocks containing solar panels and wind turbines (Integrity Systems Company, MLA Factsheet).

Many industrial products have the potential to leach chemicals as they degrade or are damaged. Solar panels can leach chemicals when damaged, however, current evidence shows the levels are not hazardous, and handling, storage and recycling systems are also improving. No studies have found that solar panels contribute to PFAS contamination. Wind turbine blades’ high weather resistant protective coatings are non-toxic and contain only negligible amounts of bisphenol A.

Wind turbine and solar panel degradation is small in comparison to other sources common in our environment, such as car and truck tyres, road markings, paint, astroturf, to name a few.

So, while the current evidence suggests that contamination risks are extremely low, landholders should request ongoing transparent research and monitoring at renewable energy facilities.

Wind Farm Contamination Risks

Potential Water Contamination Sources

Construction: Activities like land clearing and excavation during wind farm construction can lead to soil erosion and runoff, potentially impacting nearby waterways.

Materials: Some components of wind turbines, particularly epoxy resins used in blades, contain chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are known to be persistent in the environment and can leach into soil and water as the material degrades towards end-of-life.

Blade Disposal: When wind turbine blades reach the end of their lifespan, they are often cut up and disposed of, potentially releasing microplastics and other materials that could contaminate soil and water. However, Vestas, in partnership with research organisations, have recently pioneered technology to achieve 100% recycling of blades and full circularity (ie reuse of materials in manufacturing of new blades).

Addressing Potential Risks

Environmental Management Plans: Wind farm developers typically implement environmental management plans that include measures to minimise soil erosion, control runoff, and manage waste during construction and decommissioning.

Material Selection: Efforts are being made to develop more sustainable materials for wind turbine blades, including those with reduced PFAS content or other harmful chemicals.

Recycling and Disposal: Responsible waste management practices, including recycling or repurposing of turbine blades, are crucial for minimising environmental impact.

Overall, while wind farms are not a major source of direct water contamination, it’s important to address potential indirect impacts through careful planning, responsible material selection, and effective waste management throughout the wind farm lifecycle.

Biological Systems Contamination

Potential Contamination Sources

PFAS: PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” can be present in some wind turbine components and hydraulic fluids. Concerns exist about potential leaching into soil and water during manufacturing, operation, and decommissioning. Risks are very low and landholder agreements can detail how operational and decommissioning practices maintain this very low risk.

End-of-life blade disposal/recycling: Improper disposal of wind turbine blades can lead to minor leaching of resins or microplastics. Decommissioning plans should include plans for recycling and circularity of materials, rather than disposal/landfill.

Heavy metals: Some components may contain heavy metals like cadmium, lead, lithium, copper, mercury and nickel, which could contaminate soil and water if not managed properly. This is similar to most industrial products and potentially all on-farm infrastructure. For example, galvanised steel (such as steel posts and some fencing wire) contains lead, zinc and cadmium that can leach into the soil.

Mitigation Examples

Vestas’s Mitigation Efforts

Prohibited and Restricted Substance Management: Vestas has a program to manage prohibited and restricted substances, aiming to eliminate or phase out those considered harmful.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Vestas uses LCAs to assess the environmental impacts of their products throughout their entire lifecycle, from material sourcing to disposal.

Collaboration: Vestas collaborates with stakeholders, including conservation agencies and government bodies, to develop guidelines for protecting bird populations and other wildlife.

Focus on Sustainability: Vestas integrates sustainability into its core values, aiming to minimise negative environmental and social impacts.

Important Considerations

Comparative Environmental Impact: Wind energy is generally considered a cleaner energy source compared to fossil fuels. However, it’s important to address potential contamination issues to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

Ongoing Research: Research is ongoing to better understand the long-term environmental impacts of wind farms and to develop more sustainable solutions in all aspects of manufacturing, operation and decommissioning, including material circularity.

Responsible Practices: Responsible siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of wind farms are crucial for minimising environmental risks.

Solar Farm Contamination Risks

State Planning Framework and the Queensland Solar Farm Guidelines

In Queensland, large-scale solar farm environmental management plans are required and guided by the State Planning Framework and the Queensland Solar Farm Guidelines, with specific details determined by the local council and the project’s nature. These plans typically cover impacts from construction through to decommissioning, addressing biodiversity, noise, visual amenity, and community engagement. Proponents develop plans that align with State and Federal environmental laws, and detail how potential impacts like land disturbance and habitat loss will be minimised, monitored, and managed through rehabilitation and potential offsets.

Contamination concerns for farmlands or food production

There is no evidence to suggest that renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels or wind turbines, poses a contamination risk to livestock, crops or food production when co-located with agricultural land.

Research has shown that grazing animals, such as sheep, benefit from the shade provided by solar panels, which helps reduce heat stress and improve overall comfort. This environment can lead to healthier animals and potentially better-quality products. This practice, known as agrivoltaics, combines agriculture with solar energy production, offering mutual benefits for both farmers and animals.

For soil or water quality

Solar panels used in Australia today do not pose a contamination risk. They are primarily made from glass, aluminium, polymers and monocrystalline silicon. Less than 1% of the materials used include copper, silver, tin and lead. The chemical layer in a panel is extremely thin—about 3% the thickness of a human hair—and is sealed between two layers of heat-strengthened glass with an industrial laminate. This structure prevents leaching under normal operating conditions.

Examples of cleaning innovation in agrivoltaics

Highly effective and biodegradable cleaners have been developed that are formulated on a water basis especially for use in solar farms. Their excellent surface wetting properties allow the cleaners to be applied by spraying, brushing and with automatic cleaning systems. Depending on the degree of soiling, alkaline, acidic or neutral cleaners can be used. These are generally VOC-free (volatile organic compounds) and dissolve even the most persistent soiling, from dust and salt soiling such as limescale and lime residues and deposits to lichen, moss and algae. Cleaning ensures that the solar module is restored to optimum efficiency.

Solar Panel Recycling

According to the Clean Energy Council, the only problematic chemical in recycling solar panels is <0.1% lead from solder which may be phased out.

Contamination risks

Overview

There is no evidence to suggest that renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels or wind turbines, poses a contamination risk to livestock, crops or food production when co-located with agricultural land.

Concerns of contamination rose when Livestock Production Assurance prompted producers to consider the potential contamination risks with stock access to all infrastructure on-farm which can degrade with age, which included leaking electrical transformers, capacitors, hydraulic equipment, solar panels, wind turbines, coal seam gas structures or coal mine wastes, when undertaking a property risk assessment. These concerns have now been addressed in recent guidance from the program, which confirms it is safe for livestock to graze in paddocks containing solar panels and wind turbines (Integrity Systems Company, MLA Factsheet).

Many industrial products have the potential to leach chemicals as they degrade or are damaged. Solar panels can leach chemicals when damaged, however, current evidence shows the levels are not hazardous, and handling, storage and recycling systems are also improving. No studies have found that solar panels contribute to PFAS contamination. Wind turbine blades’ high weather resistant protective coatings are non-toxic and contain only negligible amounts of bisphenol A.

Wind turbine and solar panel degradation is small in comparison to other sources common in our environment, such as car and truck tyres, road markings, paint, astroturf, to name a few.

So, while the current evidence suggests that contamination risks are extremely low, landholders should request ongoing transparent research and monitoring at renewable energy facilities.

Wind Farm Contamination Risks

Potential Water Contamination Sources

Construction: Activities like land clearing and excavation during wind farm construction can lead to soil erosion and runoff, potentially impacting nearby waterways.

Materials: Some components of wind turbines, particularly epoxy resins used in blades, contain chemicals like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). PFAS are known to be persistent in the environment and can leach into soil and water as the material degrades towards end-of-life.

Blade Disposal: When wind turbine blades reach the end of their lifespan, they are often cut up and disposed of, potentially releasing microplastics and other materials that could contaminate soil and water. However, Vestas, in partnership with research organisations, have recently pioneered technology to achieve 100% recycling of blades and full circularity (ie reuse of materials in manufacturing of new blades).

Addressing Potential Risks

Environmental Management Plans: Wind farm developers typically implement environmental management plans that include measures to minimise soil erosion, control runoff, and manage waste during construction and decommissioning.

Material Selection: Efforts are being made to develop more sustainable materials for wind turbine blades, including those with reduced PFAS content or other harmful chemicals.

Recycling and Disposal: Responsible waste management practices, including recycling or repurposing of turbine blades, are crucial for minimising environmental impact.

Overall, while wind farms are not a major source of direct water contamination, it’s important to address potential indirect impacts through careful planning, responsible material selection, and effective waste management throughout the wind farm lifecycle.

Biological Systems Contamination

Potential Contamination Sources

PFAS: PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” can be present in some wind turbine components and hydraulic fluids. Concerns exist about potential leaching into soil and water during manufacturing, operation, and decommissioning. Risks are very low and landholder agreements can detail how operational and decommissioning practices maintain this very low risk.

End-of-life blade disposal/recycling: Improper disposal of wind turbine blades can lead to minor leaching of resins or microplastics. Decommissioning plans should include plans for recycling and circularity of materials, rather than disposal/landfill.

Heavy metals: Some components may contain heavy metals like cadmium, lead, lithium, copper, mercury and nickel, which could contaminate soil and water if not managed properly. This is similar to most industrial products and potentially all on-farm infrastructure. For example, galvanised steel (such as steel posts and some fencing wire) contains lead, zinc and cadmium that can leach into the soil.

Mitigation Examples

Vestas’s Mitigation Efforts

Prohibited and Restricted Substance Management: Vestas has a program to manage prohibited and restricted substances, aiming to eliminate or phase out those considered harmful.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Vestas uses LCAs to assess the environmental impacts of their products throughout their entire lifecycle, from material sourcing to disposal.

Collaboration: Vestas collaborates with stakeholders, including conservation agencies and government bodies, to develop guidelines for protecting bird populations and other wildlife.

Focus on Sustainability: Vestas integrates sustainability into its core values, aiming to minimise negative environmental and social impacts.

Important Considerations

Comparative Environmental Impact: Wind energy is generally considered a cleaner energy source compared to fossil fuels. However, it’s important to address potential contamination issues to ensure the sustainability of the industry.

Ongoing Research: Research is ongoing to better understand the long-term environmental impacts of wind farms and to develop more sustainable solutions in all aspects of manufacturing, operation and decommissioning, including material circularity.

Responsible Practices: Responsible siting, construction, operation, and decommissioning of wind farms are crucial for minimising environmental risks.

Solar Farm Contamination Risks

State Planning Framework and the Queensland Solar Farm Guidelines

In Queensland, large-scale solar farm environmental management plans are required and guided by the State Planning Framework and the Queensland Solar Farm Guidelines, with specific details determined by the local council and the project’s nature. These plans typically cover impacts from construction through to decommissioning, addressing biodiversity, noise, visual amenity, and community engagement. Proponents develop plans that align with State and Federal environmental laws, and detail how potential impacts like land disturbance and habitat loss will be minimised, monitored, and managed through rehabilitation and potential offsets.

Contamination concerns for farmlands or food production

There is no evidence to suggest that renewable energy infrastructure, such as solar panels or wind turbines, poses a contamination risk to livestock, crops or food production when co-located with agricultural land.

Research has shown that grazing animals, such as sheep, benefit from the shade provided by solar panels, which helps reduce heat stress and improve overall comfort. This environment can lead to healthier animals and potentially better-quality products. This practice, known as agrivoltaics, combines agriculture with solar energy production, offering mutual benefits for both farmers and animals.

For soil or water quality

Solar panels used in Australia today do not pose a contamination risk. They are primarily made from glass, aluminium, polymers and monocrystalline silicon. Less than 1% of the materials used include copper, silver, tin and lead. The chemical layer in a panel is extremely thin—about 3% the thickness of a human hair—and is sealed between two layers of heat-strengthened glass with an industrial laminate. This structure prevents leaching under normal operating conditions.

Examples of cleaning innovation in agrivoltaics

Highly effective and biodegradable cleaners have been developed that are formulated on a water basis especially for use in solar farms. Their excellent surface wetting properties allow the cleaners to be applied by spraying, brushing and with automatic cleaning systems. Depending on the degree of soiling, alkaline, acidic or neutral cleaners can be used. These are generally VOC-free (volatile organic compounds) and dissolve even the most persistent soiling, from dust and salt soiling such as limescale and lime residues and deposits to lichen, moss and algae. Cleaning ensures that the solar module is restored to optimum efficiency.

Solar Panel Recycling

According to the Clean Energy Council, the only problematic chemical in recycling solar panels is <0.1% lead from solder which may be phased out.

Erosion risk management

Minimising Erosion at wind farms

Environmental Management Plans (EMPs): Wind farm developers are required to create EMPs that detail erosion and sediment control measures.

Environmental Management Plans (EMPs)

Construction Practices: Proper site management, including minimising vegetation removal and careful handling of topsoil, can help mitigate erosion.

Revegetation: Replanting vegetation after construction can help stabilise the soil and reduce erosion.

Monitoring: Regular monitoring of erosion and sediment control practices can help identify and address potential problems at an early stage.

Remote Sensing: Remote sensing technologies can be used to monitor wind farm impacts on vegetation and soil at large scales, allowing for timely interventions.

Minimising Erosion at Solar Farms

Solar farms have the potential to change overland flow and natural hydrological dynamics which can potentially lead to erosion and sedimentation; however, adequate planning and correct site selection can mitigate potential problems. Local knowledge of seasonal changes and soil management needs to be incorporated at each project design and construction stage. There are many ways that a solar farm can be designed to not impact soil and vegetation and not create erosion risks, but instead have positive effects on vegetation growth under and around panels. See Further Resources Section, including Government Guides.

Solar panels with a system designed to rotate to follow the sun have been shown to have less erosion risk under the panels than fixed tilt systems where water runs off the bottom edge of the panel at the same place continually.

Risks of land/water contamination and degradation on renewable energy facilities (wind and solar farms)

Erosion

With wind farms, soil erosion can be minimised through Environmental Management Plans (EMPs), construction practices, revegetation, soil stabilisers, monitoring and remote sensing. (2)

Solar panels with a system designed to rotate to follow the sun have been shown to have less erosion risk than fixed tilt systems where water runs off the bottom edge of the panel at the same place continually.

Solar farms have the potential to change overland flow and natural hydrological dynamics which can potentially lead to erosion and sedimentation; however, adequate planning and correct site selection can mitigate potential problems. Local knowledge of seasonal changes and soil management needs to be incorporated at each project design and construction stage. There are many ways that a solar farm can be designed to not impact soil and vegetation and not create erosion risks, but instead have positive effects on vegetation growth under and around panels. See Further Resources Section, including Government Guides.

Contamination

Risks from potential contamination sources ranges from land clearing through to decommissioning is mitigated through Environmental Management Plans, material selection, including prohibitions and restricted substance management and recycling and disposal considerations. There is a focus on community collaboration and sustainability. (3)

Overall, while wind farms are not a major source of direct water or soil contamination, it’s important to address potential indirect impacts through careful planning, responsible material selection, and effective waste management throughout the wind farm lifecycle. (4)

In the case of solar farms, there is no evidence that solar panels pose a contamination risk to livestock, crops or food production when co-located with agricultural land. (4)

Research has shown that grazing animals, such as sheep, benefit from the shade provided by solar panels, which helps reduce heat stress and improve overall comfort, leading to healthier animals and potentially better-quality products. This practice, known as agrivoltaics, combines agriculture with solar energy production, offering mutual benefits for both farmers and animals. (4)

Solar panels used in Australia today do not pose a contamination risk. They are primarily made from glass, aluminium, polymers and monocrystalline silicon. Less than 1% of the materials used include copper, silver, tin and lead. The chemical layer in a panel is extremely thin—about 3% the thickness of a human hair—and is sealed between two layers of heat-strengthened glass with an industrial laminate. This structure prevents leaching under normal operating conditions. (4, 5)

NO studies have found that solar panels contribute to PFAS contamination.

Risks from cleaning maintenance are reduced with highly effective and biodegradable water-based cleansers especially for solar farms. (6)

Management Plans

Both solar and wind farms proponents develop plans that align with State and Federal environmental laws, and detail how potential impacts like land disturbance and habitat loss will be minimised, monitored, and managed through rehabilitation and potential offsets. (1)

References

  1. Queensland Government, Business Queensland, Renewable energy project planning and approvals ( 2025)
  2. Moyne Shire Council, Wind energy and high voltage power lines, Environment (2025)
  3. Global HSE, TEEDW, Vestas Prohibited and Restricted Substance Management (2022)
  4. Clean Energy Council. Soil and water contamination from renewable energy (2025)
  5. Jin Il Kwak, Sun-Hwa Nam, Lia Kim, and Youn-Joo An, Potential Environmental Risk of Solar Cells: Current Knowledge and Future Challenges, Journal of Hazardous Materials 392 (2020)
  6. Emil Otto, In ‘agri-photovoltaics’, the cleaning of solar panels must be environmentally sustainable (2025)
  7. Ecological Australia, Goyder Renewables Zone Project Soil Erosion and Drainage Management Plan Construction Activities (2022)
  8. Vestas Wind Systems, Life Cycle Assessments of electricity production from an onshore v163-4.5MW wind plant (2025)

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