Can small PV module waste be recycled?

According to the experts interviewed, it is currently possible to dispose of small PV module waste streams in landfills in North America. However, there are no known significant investments in recycling plants for this purpose.

Can PV panels be recycled?

Even in the European Union, where photovoltaic (PV) recycling is required by law, many waste facilities just harvest bulk elements such as aluminium frames and glass covers, which account for more than 80% of a silicon panel's mass . Awareness and attempts to develop recycling technologies for EoL PV panels began in the 90 s .

Will PV recycling be a sustainable future?

Sectors like PV recycling will be essential in the world’s transition to a sustainable, economically viable and increasingly renewables-based energy future. To unlock the benefits of such PV end-of-life industries, the institutional groundwork must be laid in time to meet the expected surge in panel waste.

How is solar waste disposed of in the US?

In the US, the end-of-life disposal of solar products is governed by the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and state policies. The amount of PV waste and the best recycling technologies available are important considerations.

Is PV waste a future business case?

According to the interviewees, there is little investment in specialized PV recycling plants, but metal and glass recyclers are starting to show interest and see recycling of PV waste as a future business case.

Can dismantled PV systems be reused?

In optimum cases, up to 80% of dismantled PV modules can be reused. On average, this figure is around 25%, considering some installations have had significant damages due to environmental events such as storms.