Renewable energies
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5 marzo 2024
The truth about recycling solar panels
The production of photovoltaic energy is experiencing historic growth, and this requires a large number of solar panels to supply both solar plants and self-consumption facilities. But what happens when these panels stop working? Can they be recycled?
Spain is positioned as the European leader in photovoltaic energy production, occupying the fifth position globally, according to the report Snapshot of Global PV Markets 2023 by the International Energy Agency (IEA): "In 2022, global PV experienced remarkable growth, reaching a cumulative capacity of 1,185 GW. There were almost a dozen countries with penetration rates above 10%." And Spain reached more than 19%!
The growth of photovoltaic energy goes hand in hand with the increase in manufacture of solar panels. But what happens to solar panels when they stop working? Faced with this scenario, concerns arise about how to manage this waste. Can they be recycled? Are they harmful to the environment?
Recycling solar panels – yes or no?
The average composition of a PV module includes 78% glass, 10% aluminium, 7% plastic, and 5% metals and semiconductors. The most widely used semiconductor is silicon, a material classified as non-hazardous.
Are these materials recyclable? Yes. Not only can they be recycled – they should be. By recovering the aluminium frame and the frontal glass, more than 80% is already utilised.
Average composition of a photovoltaic module
- 78% glass
- 10% aluminium
- 7% plastic
- 5% silicon metal
Are these materials recyclable? Yes. Not only can they be recycled – they should be. By recovering the aluminium frame and the frontal glass, more than 80% is already utilised.
Source: PVCycle
Hector de Lama, technical director of UNEF, explains to Haz magazine that there are different recycling technologies: mechanical crushing, thermal separation and chemical leaching. These techniques achieve a very high recycling rate (95-99%), with polymers used as glues being excluded from recycling.
The most common method is based on the mechanical process. First, the junction box, cables, and aluminium frame are removed. The remaining laminate is then shredded and its pieces are separated by size. In 2018, this process saw the Veolia plant in Rousset, France, recover 95% of the weight of the panels after recycling more than 1,500 tonnes of panels.
Initiatives to promote solar panel recycling
Photovoltaic panels have a useful life of between 25-30 years, although an increase in waste generation is expected as the market grows. Spain will generate around 10,000 tonnes of photovoltaic waste per year until 2027, according to the Centre for Energy, Environmental and Technological Research (Ciemat).
To improve recycling efficiency, research and development projects are being developed, such as the ReProSolar initiative or the Europe-wide PVCycle, which processed more than 11,500 tonnes of panels in 2019.
The number of companies dedicated to the recycling of photovoltaic panels is also increasing. One example is the European Photovoltaic Recycling Centre (CERFO), based in Teruel, which researches methods that assess panel components.
Recycling solar panels is mandatory
In 2012, the European Union (EU) established the responsibility of solar panel manufacturers to carry out waste management, officially regulated by Directive 2012/19/EU on waste from electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Spain adapted this regulation through Royal Decree 110/2015, which obliges producers and importers of solar panels to recycle them at the end of their useful life.
As with other waste (household appliances, packaging, oils, batteries, tyres, etc.), the manufacturers or importers of the panels must take charge of managing their waste. In this way, this management is covered and guaranteed through accredited and specialised entities.
This measure promotes the creation of sustainable products at all stages: from production to dismantling, thus fostering environmental responsibility.
What are the benefits of recycling solar panels?
Giving a second life to materials such as glass or aluminium has multiple advantages:
- Positive impact on the environment. Recycling solar panels avoids the extraction of new raw materials and resources through the recovery and reuse of materials, reducing the environmental footprint throughout the production and supply chain of new products.
- Fewer landfills. Processing panel materials reduces landfills containing polluting waste.
- New jobs. As there is greater demand, more companies dedicated to the recycling of solar panels will appear in the market.
- Economic asset. The report "End-of-life management; solar photovoltaic panels" from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that the recyclable materials present in obsolete solar panels could become a $15 billion recoverable asset by 2050. This would equate to 78 million tonnes of raw materials.
- Boosting the circular economy. Harnessing panel materials drives the circular economy. For example, with the aim of establishing a circular value chain, the European project Photorama develops technologies and methodologies for the recycling of photovoltaic panels and their recovery of raw materials to extend the useful life of the panels.
Solar panel recycling is emerging as the solution to mitigating environmental and economic impacts when these parts are no longer useful. With advanced technologies that allow the recovery of key materials and European and national legislation in favour, recycling the panels will promote a circular economy that will be essential for this type of energy to continue growing.
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