Recycling of Photovoltaic Panels

Photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems, which have reached competitive investment costs with module prices falling from $ 5/W to $ 0.2/W in the last 25 years, have experienced an average capacity increase of approximately 25% each year in the last 7 years and have reached 1,289 TW of installed capacity by the end of 2022. According to the “Global Solar Energy Market Outlook 2023-2027” report prepared by SolarPower Europe and announced at the Intersolar European Solar Energy Conference and Fair, 341 GW of new capacity will be commissioned in 2023 and a total installed capacity of 1,630 TW will be reached. The projections in the report titled “Global Energy Transformation: A Roadmap To 2050” published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) also predict that this capacity will reach 5 TW levels in 2050.

When the prediction that 1,630 TW capacity will be operational by the end of 2023 is considered together with the average PV panel capacity of 200 W, it is seen that there are 8 billion panels worldwide. Considering that PV panels weigh an average of 20 kg and 1% of them are damaged/broken/unusable for various reasons, it can be evaluated that approximately 80 million PV panels (1.6 million tons) will be idle every year. Considering that PV panels that will complete their lifespan will be added to this data, it is certain that the issue of waste management will be an important agenda. According to IRENA's report, it is emphasized that this number is expected to exceed 78 million tons (4 billion PV panels) in 2050, including PV panels that have expired.

Solar energy is increasingly used as a clean and sustainable energy source. However, when solar panels reach the end of their lifespan and become waste, it is important to dispose of them in an environmentally friendly manner. Solar panel recycling minimizes environmental impact by reusing the valuable materials they contain. This process involves collecting the panels, separating the materials, and recycling them. Although not yet a fully established industry, studies on solar panel recycling continue to improve processes in this area and contribute to sustainable energy solutions.

It is thought that there will be many different technology applications regarding the recycling processes of PV panels and R&D studies are ongoing.

As solar panels deteriorate and become damaged during their lifetime, recycling processes will become more important.

In this context, A feasibility study has been initiated by Ahiler Development Agency in cooperation with METU-GÜNAM (Solar Energy Research and Application Center) on the recycling of Photovoltaic (PV) Panels. The aim of the study is to reveal the current technologies for the recycling of photovoltaic (PV) solar panels that have completed their economic life within the framework of circular economy principles, to make a prediction about the applicability of developing technologies, to examine the economic feasibility of these methods and to compile these studies.

Ahiler Development Agency plans to apply for a project proposal to Horizon program together with potential local, national and international stakeholders regarding the recycling processes of (PV) solar panels.