Solar panels have become an extremely important source of renewable energy since their induction. Unfortunately now as many solar panels reach the end of their life, their disposal process has become a bit of a problem. Solar panels are more complex to recycle and dispose of than regular electronics, and much of the world hasn’t figured out the best way to do it yet.
Solar panels were not widely deployed until the early 2000s, and with a lifespan of 25 years, only a small fraction of solar panels are out of use today. That being said, it’s estimated that 78 million metric tons of solar panels are at the end of their life, and globally, we will be generating 6 million metric tons of solar e-waste. This is only a small portion of the e-waste generated annually, but unfortunately, solar panels cannot be recycled the same way other e-waste can.
When thrown into landfills, solar panels can break down and leach out toxins, creating environmental hazards. An E.U. law is in place that requires solar panels to be recycled properly. Currently, Japan, India, and Australia, all have recycling laws in the works. In the U.S, there are no federal laws in place to regulate recycling. Washington has state laws in place, but it is the only state in the U.S with any mandates.
“What we call for is what we name a high-value, integrated recycling system,” Heath told Grist. “High-value means we want to recover all the constituent materials that have value from these modules. Integrated refers to a recycling process that can go after all of these materials, and not have to cascade from one recycler to the next.”
Solar panels are starting to die. What will we do with the megatons of toxic trash?
It’s estimated that only 10% of solar panels are recycled. In many cases, it costs more to recycle the solar panel that you can make off the recycling process. On average, it costs between $12 and $25 to recycle one solar panel, with a profit of $3, but only $1 to throw a solar panel into a landfill. Additionally, U.S recyclers sell second-hand solar panels to developing countries. In most cases, developing countries usually don’t have regulations for the recycling or disposal of solar panels.
Despite environmental concerns, all hope is not lost. Scientists at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow have figured out a better way to recycle solar panels. Researchers have figured out how to convert silicon into silicon oxide nanoparticles, which can be recycled more efficiently than the current system.
To solve the solar panel problem, we need to make recycling solar panels as cost-effective and as easy as possible. Additionally, we need supportive policies and regulations from our politicians and lawmakers.