End-of-Life Management: Solar Photovoltaic Panels
The report shows that by recycling or reusing solar PV modules at the end of their roughly 30-year life, a large stock of raw materials and other valuable components can be tapped. According to estimates, the quantity of waste produced, mainly consisting of glass, could reach up to 78 million tonnes by 2050. If these are returned to the economy, the value of re-used materials could be far beyond 15 billion US dollars by 2050. Through this potential material inflow, 2 billion new modules (equivalent to new generation capacity of 630 GW) could be produced or resold on the worldwide raw materials markets. This increases the security of the future offer of PV or other raw material-dependent products.
Free download of the "End of life management solar photovoltaic panels" study (pdf.)
Further information on the project
About the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
IRENA's task, as a central, global body for the cooperation and information exchange of 148 members (147 countries and the European Union) is to work effectively to promote renewable energy. 28 other countries are currently undergoing the entry process and will be actively included in the work. IRENA promotes the broad-based introduction and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy with regard to sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. www.irena.org