RECYCLING SOLAR PANELS

PV CYCLE - Making PV module recycling a reality
January 2010 (European Photovoltaic Industry Association)

"After almost two years of hard work, the initial efforts of PV CYCLE have started to pay off. This month the take-back and recycling scheme for Photovoltaic (PV) modules has been rolled out in Germany. In this country, approximately 3,000 tons of end-of- life panels will be generated this year representing about 50% of the European total. The estimates for 2030 show that this figure will rise to 130,000 tons in Europe. The members of PV CYCLE have shown their commitment to protect the environment…

"The last few months of 2009 were particularly exciting for PV CYCLE. All the efforts put into the imminent launch of the scheme are paying off…Hellmann Logistics was selected to take care of the collection and transportation of end-of-life modules. In addition, soon the first agreement will be signed with one or more recycling plant(s) which can recycle the collected modules…"

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"PV CYCLE was set up in 2007 to bring together all major European PV producers and distributors…The members of PV CYCLE…mostly manufacturers and importers of PV modules…represent more than 85% of what has been put on the market in Europe. Their contributions will serve to finance the set up and implementation of the take-back and recycling scheme…To guarantee that end-of-life PV modules get adequately recycled, it is imperative that wholesalers, retailers, electrical installation contractors, system integrators, and project developers also get involved…

"…[A]bout 4.5 GW [of solar capacity] were already installed in Europe in 2008. This represents 18% of all the new installed electrical capacity. PV has become the fastest growing renewable energy technology…PV electricity could provide up to 12% by 2020…Therefore, it is vital to start thinking ahead and putting into place the necessary mechanisms to take care of the recycling of PV modules…By setting up PV CYCLE, the industry has also shown its voluntary determination to make solar energy “DoubleGreen” and take responsibility for its waste. The substantial reduction in component incineration in favour of an increased volume of recycled modules will also contribute to recovering precious raw materials and preserving the planet’s scarce natural resources…"

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"The system PV CYCLE has envisioned will be based on the creation of a network of collection points that will operate with a reverse logistics approach. Special containers will be permanently located across the country in distribution and retailing stores, installers’ facilities, storage and transfer stations. End-of-life PV modules will be taken to those disposal locations by either the owners or the installers right after they are dismantled. Where necessary, PV CYCLE will arrange the pickup and transportation. Temporary containers will also be placed at large construction, renovation and demolition project sites.

"In order for the whole system to operate efficiently, as many actors as possible in all stages of the value chain must become involved. The distribution and installation channels of photovoltaic modules are therefore crucial…[T]he replacement of modules will likely be done by the same companies that took care of the initial sale and installation and who can now contribute to their appropriate disposal…[The] scheme will be fully transparent…[An] independent monitoring committee will be created…[and] PV CYCLE will issue an annual public report…"