Photovoltaic panel backing waste

Should solar PV panels be recycled?

We recommend that recycling should be made commercially necessary by making manufacturers responsible for recovering materials from solar PV panels EOL. In summary, the management of panels EOL and other hazardous waste is obligatory.

Will solar PV waste be recycled by 2040?

Based on the swift growth in the installed PV generation capacity, we propose that the number of EOL panels will necessitate a strategy for recycling and recovery which need to be established by 2040. CO 2 emissions could also be reduced by recycling solar PV waste which will consequently pose substantial positive impact on the environment.

How will PV panel waste impact the future?

As the global PV market increases, so will the volume of decommissioned PV panels, and large amounts of annual waste are anticipated by the early 2030s. Growing PV panel waste presents a new environmental challenge, but also unprecedented opportunities to create value and pursue new economic avenues.

Is PV panel recycling economically viable?

Despite the clear environmental benefits documented in various studies, the economic viability of PV panel recycling remains a significant barrier. D’Adamo et al. focuses on the uncertainty of PV recycling profitability.

What are the barriers to PV panel recycling?

Emissions and Pollutants: One critical barrier to PV panel recycling is the emission of pollutants into the biosphere during the recycling process (Mahmoudi et al., 2019; Salim et al., 2019b).

Is solar PV waste a waste?

PV waste is currently treated as a general electronic waste and as stated by there is no specific mention of solar PVs in the E-waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011, or the Municipal Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Which will leave India with a substantial amount of waste without any proper management actions.