Like any product, the photovoltaic solar panels Solar panels have a limited lifespan. Generally, a solar panel has an average life cycle of 25 to 30 years. Once their cycle is over, they must be replaced, which creates the need to manage this waste properly to prevent it from becoming an environmental problem. This is where the recycling solar panels.
With millions of tons of PV waste projected for the next few years, it is important to understand recycling processes and what advances are being made to recover valuable materials from these solar installations. Recycling not only reduces the environmental impact, it can also provide resources for the production of new panels.
Why is it important to recycle solar panels?
The growth of the solar industry The growth in waste has been exponential in recent years. The rise of renewable energy has increased the installation of photovoltaic panels worldwide. With a lifespan of between 25 and 30 years, the challenge now is to manage discarded panels without generating a negative impact on the environment.
Panels are primarily made of glass, aluminum, plastic, and silicon. These materials are mostly recyclable, but if not managed properly, they can increase the volume of waste in landfills. As the solar industry grows, so will the amount of photovoltaic waste. In fact, it is expected that by 2030 more than XNUMX solar panels will be generated. 130,000 annual tons of solar panels discarded in Europe alone.
Recycling solar panels is crucial for several reasons:
- Waste reduction: By recycling materials, we prevent them from ending up in polluting landfills.
- Recovery of materials: The panels contain valuable materials such as aluminum and glass, which can be reused to make new panels.
- Environmental impact: A good recycling process prevents contamination by toxic substances such as cadmium or lead, present in some types of panels.
- Circular economy: Recycling supports a circular economy model, minimising the use of new natural resources and encouraging their reuse.
What materials are recovered in solar panel recycling?
Recycling a solar panel involves separating each of its components so that they can be reused. Below we detail the most important materials and their recycling potential:
- Glass: It represents about 80% of the mass of a solar panel. Glass can be recycled up to 95%, being used to manufacture new panels or in other industries.
- Aluminum: The panel frame is made of aluminum, which is 100% recyclable. It is used in the manufacture of new products, including other renewable energy devices.
- Silicon: It is the main component of photovoltaic cells. Although it is more difficult to recycle, 85% of it can be reused to manufacture new solar cells or in other technological applications.
- Plastics: The plastics that wrap and protect solar cells are also 75% recyclable. They are often used in the manufacture of new plastic products.
Rules and regulations on solar panel recycling
Since 2012, the European Union (EU) has established the legal obligation to recycle solar panels under Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE). This legislation imposes specific responsibilities on manufacturers, importers and distributors of solar panels to ensure that waste is managed appropriately.
In Spain, this regulation was transcribed through the Royal Decree 110 / 2015, which requires photovoltaic panel producers to collect and manage their waste at the end of the equipment's useful life. Companies must ensure that the panels are collected, processed and recycled in accordance with current regulations.
This legal framework has encouraged the emergence of more companies and centres specialising in recycling solar panels, such as Recyclia and PV Cycle, an organisation that has been working on the collection and recycling of panels in Europe since 2007.
How are solar panels recycled?
The solar panel recycling process involves several phases. Below we explain the key steps:
- Dismantling the panel: The aluminium frame is separated from the panel, which is 100% recyclable. The cables and junction box are then removed.
- Glass Extraction: The glass, which represents the greatest weight of the panel, is separated and 95% recycled. This material is reused to manufacture new panels or in other industries.
- Heat treatment: The plastic and organic components are subjected to high temperatures for evaporation. This treatment also allows 85% of silicon to be recycled.
- Separation of metals: Recyclable metals such as aluminium and copper are classified and reused in industrial processes.
Initiatives and advances in photovoltaic recycling
Currently, there are many research and development projects focused on optimizing and improving the solar panel recycling process.
One of these initiatives is ReProSolar, a European collaboration that seeks to improve recycling efficiency and reduce the costs of these processes. The partnership also highlights recycling in Spain, which has managed to recover more than 88% of the materials from the treated panels.
In addition, the French company Veolia has developed a recycling plant in Rousset, France, that uses robots to separate solar panel parts and maximize material recycling. In 2018, this plant recycled more than 1.500 tons of solar panels.
The future of solar panel recycling
With the continued growth of solar energy, it is inevitable that the volume of photovoltaic waste will increase. In this regard, it is essential to continue improving recycling technologies, as well as to implement policies that encourage the recovery and reuse of these materials.
The amount of discarded solar panels is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, reaching millions of tons of waste worldwide. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates that by 2050 up to XNUMX million tons of waste could be generated. 78 million tons of photovoltaic waste, but with an effective recycling system, this waste could be transformed into an economic and environmental opportunity, avoiding the continued exploitation of natural resources.
Recycling the materials that make up solar panels is key to moving towards sustainability in the energy sector. As more photovoltaic installations reach the end of their useful life, the need to develop an adequate infrastructure to manage this waste efficiently becomes more evident.