Despite their global promotion as a vital tool for carbon emission reduction, solar panels possess a limited lifespan of approximately 25 years.
There will come a time when billions of solar panels will require proper disposal and replacement. As the adoption of solar energy continues to surge worldwide, the eventual need for managing the end-of-life phase of these panels becomes increasingly evident. The environmental impact and sustainability of the solar industry depend not only on the installation and utilization of solar panels but also on establishing effective mechanisms for their responsible disposal and subsequent replacement. The sheer magnitude of the global solar panel fleet necessitates proactive measures to address the eventual challenge of their proper management.
Waste Experts recognizes the impending need for solar panel recycling services to tackle this issue comprehensively. By leveraging our expertise in electrical waste and our advanced recycling plant in Huddersfield, Waste Experts is dedicated to ensuring the efficient and environmentally friendly disposal of solar panels, contributing to the sustainable growth of the solar energy sector.
The energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation, and the trend towards renewable energy sources is becoming increasingly apparent. Despite the many benefits of renewable energy sources, one concern that often arises is what happens to them at the end of their lifecycle. This is especially true in the case of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels, which are a clean and efficient source of energy, relying solely on the sun’s rays to generate electricity.
Solar panels are a highly valuable and complex technology that is made up of various materials such as silicon, glass, aluminium, and plastic. When they reach the end of their lifespan and become less efficient, many people wonder what will become of them. This is where the solar panel recycling process comes into play.
Solar panels are made up of various materials, such as silicon, glass, aluminium, and plastic. These materials can all be recycled and repurposed for other uses. For example, silicon can be used in the manufacturing of new solar panels, glass can be used in construction, and aluminium can be used in the automotive industry. By recycling these materials, we can not only reduce the amount of waste in landfills, but also conserve valuable resources and reduce the need for mining and manufacturing of new materials.
The recycling process begins with the collection of used solar panels. This is where Waste Experts can help, as we provide collection services for solar panels and other forms of WEEE. Once the panels are collected, they are transported to our in house recycling facility where they are broken down into their individual components. The materials are then separated and cleaned, before being processed for reuse.
One of the benefits of solar panel recycling is that it can save energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For example, recycling silicon requires significantly less energy than producing new silicon from raw materials. This means that recycling solar panels can have a positive impact on the environment, by reducing the use of fossil fuels and decreasing carbon emissions.
The Lifetime of Solar Panels
The durability of solar panels is an important consideration for those considering a switch to renewable energy. According to industry studies, the average life span of photovoltaic panels is approximately 30 years before they are decommissioned.
Over the course of their lifespan, it is expected that there may be a 20% reduction in power capacity. Typically, the greatest decrease in efficiency occurs within the first 10 to 12 years, with a reduction of up to 10%. This figure can reach 20% after 25 years. Most manufacturers provide guarantees based on these projections.
However, actual experience suggests that the efficiency of solar panels decreases by a relatively modest 6% to 8% after 25 years of use. This suggests that the lifespan of solar panels may be significantly longer than the official projections. High-quality PV panels may even continue to function for 30 to 40 years, albeit with reduced efficacy.
Disposal of Solar Panels
From a regulatory standpoint, PV panel waste is currently categorized as general waste, with the exception of being classified as electronic waste at the EU level under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. The management of PV panel waste is therefore governed by the WEEE Directive and other applicable legal frameworks.
To prevent PV panels from becoming an environmental burden, manufacturers are legally obliged to comply with specific recycling standards and regulations. This has led to the development of innovative technologies for recycling solar panels and managing solar waste in an environmentally responsible manner.
Working in collaboration with government institutions, photovoltaic producers have devised several strategies to address the challenge of solar waste.
Solar Panel Waste
Without proper recycling measures in place, it is estimated that 60 million tons of PV panel waste could accumulate in landfills by 2050. Given that PV cells contain harmful toxins, this would result in an unsustainable method of energy sourcing.
To help visualize the extent of this problem, an interactive map has been created to show which countries generate the most solar panel waste….
Solar Panel Recycling Processes
Solar panels come in two main types, silicon based and thin-film based. They can be recycled using different methods. Silicon based panels are more commonly used, but thin-film panels still have valuable materials. Studies have found ways to recycle solar panels with high efficiency, up to 96%. However, researchers aim to make the recycling process even better in the future.
Silicon Based Solar Panel Recycling
The recycling process of silicon-based photovoltaic panels involves several steps to extract valuable components for reuse. The panels are first disassembled to separate the aluminium and glass parts. Most of the glass (95%) can be reused while the metal parts are remoulded into cell frames. The remaining materials are then subjected to high temperatures in a thermal processing unit. After the thermal treatment, the green hardware is physically separated. 80% of it can be readily reused while the rest is further refined. The silicon cells are then etched away using acid, and broken wafers are melted and used to manufacture new silicon modules. This results in a recycling rate of 85% for the silicon material.
Thin-Film Based Solar Panel Recycling
The recycling process for thin-film based solar panels is more complex. The panels are first shredded into small pieces and then run through a hammermill to break down the lamination and separate the solid and liquid materials. The liquids are processed to remove impurities and separate the semiconductor materials, which are then reused on average at a 95% rate. The solid materials are cleaned of lighter interlayer materials through a vibrating surface and rinsed to obtain pure glass, which can then be easily reused at a 90% rate.
The Future Benefits of Solar Waste Management
The establishment of a proper infrastructure for recycling solar panels can bring numerous benefits to the economy. With the increasing adoption of solar power systems, Waste Experts can manage the large volumes of PV modules that will be disposed of in the future.
The benefits of solar panel recycling on a who include has the potential to recover approximately £11 billion in value by 2050. This influx of recoverable value can allow for the production of 2 billion new panels without having to invest in raw materials, resulting in the capacity to produce 630 GW of energy from reused materials alone.
As the cost of solar energy continues to decrease, more households and businesses are choosing to invest in solar power systems, leading to even more economic opportunities in the solar cell recycling sector.
