How and where Solar Panels get recycled?

Solar panels, a key component of renewable energy solutions, have a lifespan of about 30 years. As the number of solar panels being sold and installed increases each year, it’s only a matter of time before a significant volume of panels reach the end of their useful life and need to be disposed of. This is where solar panel recycling comes into play.

Can solar panels be recycled?

Solar panel recycling typically involves several steps. The process begins by disassembling the solar panel to separate the aluminium and glass parts. We can reuse approximately 95% of this glass and 100% of the metal parts. Then, we subject the remaining solar panel material to thermal, mechanical, or chemical processes to separate the glass and the silicon wafer.

Recycling is already established in the glass, metals, and electronics industries, which can accommodate solar panels and other solar power system components. These processes typically involve crushing, shredding, and milling, usually after removal of the frame and junction box.

Solar panel recycling is important for both environmental and economic reasons. Heavy metals in solar cells, like cadmium and lead, can become hazardous waste if not recycled or disposed of properly. By recycling solar panels, we can keep harmful materials out of landfills and the environment.

Furthermore, some rare elements in photovoltaic (PV) cells, like gallium and indium, are being depleted from the environment over time. If we could recover these valuable materials, we can conserve the limited amount available on earth and continue to use them for photovoltaic panels and other products.

1. Solar panels are separated from their metal frames and components. This metal is 100% recyclable.
2. Glass is separated from the solar panels. The glass is 95% recyclable.
3. They heat the remaining solar panel material to over 900 degrees Fahrenheit. This process vaporizes the plastic material, which they can then use as a heating source for further processing.
4. Then, chemical etching isolates the silicon components, which they can smelt down and recycle 85% of the silicon.

Recycle solar panels for sustainability

A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) states that photovoltaic (PV) panel waste might constitute between four and 14 per cent of the total generation capacity by 2030, and this figure may rise to over 80 per cent (equivalent to 78 million tonnes) by 2050. While these numbers may seem alarming, the financial value of this waste could potentially fund the production of new solar panels.

Experts estimate that by 2030, we could recover raw materials worth a staggering $450 million. Manufacturers could use these materials to produce up to 60 million new PV panels. Experts also expect global PV waste to reach 5 million tonnes annually by 2050, valuing the recovered materials at an estimated $15 billion. This could potentially fund the production of as many as 3 billion new panels.

Given these projections, it’s clear that recycling solar panels should be a global priority. While it would be ideal if solar panels could function indefinitely, the fact that they can be recycled and repurposed into new solar panels is a reassuring prospect.

When considering where to recycle solar panels, you have several options. Most solar panels in the U.S. go to glass recycling facilities for recycling. However, specific companies such as Reclaim PV, PV Industries, SolaCycle, CMA Ecocycle, and Ecoactiv in Australia also recycle solar panels and products. The Solar Waste Action Plan (SWAP) project established the first PV recycling pilot plant in India.

As the renewable energy market continues to expand, recycling processes will play an increasingly important role. It’s a sustainable solution that not only protects the environment but also contributes to the continued growth of the solar energy industry.

Solar recycling statistics

• Solar panels have an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years.
• Approximately 90% of solar panels end up in landfills, while people recycle only around 10%.
• The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimated that between 43,500 and 250,000 tonnes of global PV waste had accumulated by 2016, representing less than 0.6% of the total panels installed (4 million tonnes).
• Predictions indicate waste streams will reach more than 5 million tonnes per annum by 2050. This means the accumulative PV waste could increase to 60 to 78 million tonnes.
• By 2023, the value of recycled materials from solar panels can add up to $15 billion. This could fund up to 2 billion new solar panels.
• Raw materials recovered from solar panels will be worth about $450 million by 2030. This has the potential to produce around 60 million new solar panels.

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