Recycling Solar Panels: A Valuable Resource for the Environment and Economy
In recent decades, solar panels have revolutionised the energy sector, providing a sustainable solution to reduce CO₂ emissions and decrease dependence on fossilfuels. However, as installations increase globally, a new challenge arises: theend-of-life management of solar panels. Recycling solar panels is not only anenvironmental responsibility but also an economically profitable opportunity.
Solar panels are primarily composed of:
- Glass: (approximately 70% of the total weight), used to protect the photovoltaiccells;
- Aluminium: (approximately 18% of the total weight), used for the frame;
- Siliconpowder: a fundamental element for photovoltaic cells;
- Smallamounts of other materials: such as copper, silver, and polymers.
Amongthese, aluminium and silicon powder are the most important materials to berecovered due to their high economic value and the possibility of beingreintroduced into the production cycles of the steel and metallurgicalindustries. Meanwhile, glass finds its natural destination in the glass orceramic industry.
The mostmodern plants do not require the removal of the aluminium frame, an inefficientand costly activity, which has been replaced by more advanced delamination mills capable of quickly separating the materials composing the panel.
These include aluminium, which is recovered in the form of proler, purifiedof pollutants, and with an average size between 40 and 70 mm. This makes it a furnace-ready material for the metallurgical industry.
Subsequent steps involve recovering the glass and silicon/glass fractions, which are of particular interest to the steel industry.
The condensation of silicon into the silicon/glass fraction is achieved using precision technologies, including electrostatic separators and tribochargers, developed by Stokkermill in both laboratory and industrial configurations.
Achievingthe highest possible silicon/glass condensation is an area of great interestfor companies and research centres. Thanks to increasingly advancedtechnologies, it is possible to recover up to 98% of the materials from asolar panel, making the process highly efficient.
The most modern plants ensure that the energy cost for the complete recycling of apanel remains below 1 kWh, with a processing capacity of 1.5-2 tonnes perhour.
The energy cost of recycling is a key indicator contributing to the environmental cost ofa consumer product. Efficient, low-energy consumption, and environmentally friendly systems and solutions will therefore be the most obvious choice.
Recyclingsolar panels offers numerous benefits:
- Waste reduction: Prevents theaccumulation of non-biodegradable materials in landfills.
- Energy savings: Recoveringaluminium, for instance, requires **95% less energy** than its primaryproduction.
- Economic value: The recoveredmaterials, particularly aluminium and silicon powder, have a high market valueand can be reintegrated into the production of new panels or other industrialproducts.
With the expected increase in end-of-life solar panels in the coming years, the recycling sector is a true gold mine. Companies and governments are investing in state-of-the-art recycling facilities to maximise material recovery and reduce environmental impact.
In the coming years, Europe will face an increasing need to recycle end-of-life solar panels. According to the **International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), global waste production from discarded photovoltaic panels could reach approximately 78 million tonnes by 2050.
In Europe, the end-of-life management of photovoltaic modules is regulated by the WasteElectrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which holds producers responsible for the collection and recycling of discarded modules. However, challenges a rise in the implementation of these regulations, highlighting theneed for specific protocols for the management of renewable energy waste.
To address these challenges, Solar Power Europe has published guidelines providing recommendations on best practices for the sustainable management of end-of-lifesolar panels, promoting the reuse and recycling of components.
Furthermore,it is estimated that by 2050, the value of materials recovered from photovoltaic modules could exceed €15 billion, emphasising the economic importance of recycling in the context of the circular economy.
Solar panel recycling is a concrete example of a circular economy, transformingpotential waste into a valuable resource. Supporting this practice not only helps protect the environment but also creates new economic opportunities, making the photovoltaic and, more broadly, the renewable energy sector more sustainable.
