Solar panel installations are on the rise. UK statistics on solar photovoltaics’ deployment show that the number of systems installed has risen by over 430,000 since January 2022! But with this increase in products comes an unavoidable increase in materials.
Materials that, once they have reached the end of their useful life, must be disposed of correctly. Some in the energy sector have raised concerns about the disposal of ‘old’ solar panels, but worldwide regulations are one step ahead.
Today, Project Solar is here to dispel myths about ‘e-waste’. We’ll cover how panels are recycled and what homeowners can do to start the process.
How Long Do Solar Panels Last?
As manufacturing techniques have improved, so has the lifespan of solar panels.
Some studies report that solar panels have a technical lifetime of 25–30 years. This increase in functionality can be attributed to better materials and more efficient technologies. However, it is still common for solar panels to experience a gradual decline in performance.
Reduction can occur for a number of reasons, including electrical faults, harsh weather conditions, or mechanical damage. Ultimately, it depends on the amount of stress the system is exposed to.
Luckily, this gradual decline in power capacity should only be around 20% after 25 years (with a reduction of 10% in the first decade).
Are Solar Panels Recyclable?
Yes, of course! Solar panels are inherently renewable. They are classified as waste electrical and electronic equipment under the EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE).
All ‘e-waste’ must be collected, treated, and recycled in an environmentally responsible manner. The WEEE Directive is designed to hold solar panel manufacturers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products.
How Much Solar Panel Waste Is There?
Research estimates that, as existing panels reach their projected end-of-life (EOL), by
2030, the cumulated e-waste volume will hit 200,000 tonnes and grow to seven million tonnes in 2050.
Data collected by the WEEE Directive shows that the volume of solar panels collected amounted to 135.5 metric tonnes in the first quarter of 2024.
Research from Statista shows that figures reached a record high in the fourth quarter of 2023, with nearly 163 metric tonnes of solar photovoltaic panel e-waste collected. For those in the renewable energy sector, these statistics are encouraging.
They indicate that regulations to control e-waste (now one of the fastest-growing waste streams) are effective and accessible.
What Is the Solar Panel Recycling Process?
So, how does it work?
Solar panel recycling works similarly to household recycling. Where, at home, we have to divide paper, glass, and fabric into distinct disposal areas, each material in solar panels must undergo a separate industrial process.
Typically, solar panel recycling falls into two categories: silicon-based panels and thin-film-based solar panels.
Silicon-Based Solar Panel Recycling
Silicon-based panels (one of the most common types on the market) are recycled through a series of methodical steps:
- Disassembly: The process begins by removing the aluminium frame and glass cover. Approximately 95% of the glass and all external metal parts can be reused.
- Thermal processing: The remaining components undergo thermal treatment at around 500°C. Treating the materials at such a high temperature melts the surrounding plastic, which separates the silicon cells.
- Chemical treatment: Post thermal processing, the purified silicon is melted and repurposed for manufacturing new solar modules!
Thin-Film-Based Solar Panel Recycling
Thin-film solar panels are made from different materials. Instead of traditional crystalline silicon, they use light-absorbing materials, including cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS). As such, they have a unique recycling process:
- Shredding: The panels are initially shredded into small fragments, typically 4–5 millimetres in size. Reducing the panels to this size makes separating the materials easier.
- Separation: The shredded material is made up of both solid and liquid components. A rotating screw mechanism divides them, with solids stored in a tube while liquids are collected separately.
- Chemical treatment: The liquid fraction undergoes various processes to isolate the semiconductor material (which can then be recycled). The solid residues are processed to remove contaminating materials, after which 90% of the glass can be re-used.
How Can You Recycle Your Solar Panels in the UK?
With the global solar panel recycling market expected to reach $539.61 million by 2032, the UK government has made recycling PV systems straightforward.
Under the WEEE Regulations, manufacturers, importers, and distributors of solar panels are known as ‘Producers’. They are legally required to register with the Environment Agency and report the quantities of e-waste they place on the UK market.
According to WEEE regulations, your solar panel installer must, by law, pay for a government-approved Distributor Take-back Scheme (DTS) to collect your panels or take your solar waste themselves.
Contact your installer about recycling. They should then arrange for your end-of-life or damaged solar panels to be collected for free and transported to a Dedicated Collection Facility (DCF).
Are You Ready to Join the Solar Takeover?
Now that you know solar panels are with you for the long haul, why not start the journey today? There’s never been a better time to go green. Contact us for information on our products and services, and together, we can start your solar journey.