A new report on solar module recycling has offered some interesting insight into the need for a solar PV recycling industry.
The global solar power industry has had massive growth in the last decade, growing by 40% between 2000 and 2010. Much of the growth comes from increased solar power installations throughout Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, USA, Japan and France. Many attribute this huge increase to the support towards solar power shown by governments, in particular the stimulation and rebate packages that they are offering for solar panel installation and other sustainable solutions for homes and businesses. In fact, these incentives are expected to drive more solar power installations in the coming decade.
The issue of waste
But with this increase in installations, comes an increase in waste. The recent report by GlobalData predicts that the 'Global Solar PV (photovoltaic) Recycling Market' will generate approximately 1,098,282 tons of waste by the year 2035. By 2025, the waste generated by end-of-life solar power modules is estimated to be approximately 25, 855 tons. In the ten years after that, it is expected to increase to more than one billion tons. And so this is why many are beginning to discuss the need for a solar recycling market.
An eco-friendly second life
With the one of the great appeals of the solar power industry being its environmental conscience, many are beginning to wonder whether this standing will hold when it comes to the waste of solar power products. With an approximate life of more than 20 years, most solar panel modules have not lived out their usage yet, but many believe now is the time to begin planning for a solar recycling industry. 'Before a significant number of dead panels pile up ... [it] is the perfect time to implement a responsible program', states Sheila Davis, executive director of the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition.
What is the waste made up of? Crystalline modules are thought to account for the majority of the solar waste. Other substances include glass, aluminium, and semiconductor materials that can actually be recovered and reused, either in new PV modules or other products.
Forward thinking is the key
An innovative idea amongst industry insiders is preparing for the recycling of solar power modules by ensuring that they are being created recyclable in the first place. If recycling was at the forefront during the design phase of solar power products, then it will make it easier later on. 'If you don't look at the recycling when you're designing the product, then it's really, really difficult to recycle ... but if you know you're going to have to pay for the recycling at the end of life, you might make the necessary design changes in your product now to reduce that cost', states a representative from the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition. Many companies are already beginning to implement recycling programs for their solar waste.
