Looming threat of solar panel waste in the years ahead
in Sri Lanka
Indika Rajapaksha & Nalaka Prabath
Solar panel waste snapshot
Solar energy has emerged as a key player in the global transition towards sustainable power sources, offering immense potential to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The falling prices of photovoltaic (PV) panels, coupled with advancements in technology, have made solar power increasingly accessible and cost-effective. However, as solar panel installations continue to soar, concerns are growing about the future of solar panel consumption and the management of panel waste.
Solar panels have a lifespan of approximately 25 to 30 years, after which they reach the end of their operational life. At this point, the decommissioned panels pose an environmental challenge, as they contain potentially hazardous materials such as lead, cadmium, and other toxic substances. In addition, off-grid solar systems can contain used or damaged batteries associated with. Solar units become relatively uneconomical before they reach the end of their expected lifespan. New, more efficient designs evolve at regular intervals, meaning it can prove cheaper to replace solar panels that are only 10 or 15 years old with updated versions.
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), by 2050, the world could generate as much as 78 million metric tons of solar panel waste
Current Waste Management Practices
Many panels end up in landfills or are improperly disposed of. Some panels are dismantled for reuse of metals like aluminum and silicon.To address the challenge of solar panel waste, effective recycling strategies are paramount. Currently, most solar panels are not recycled due to various reasons such as lack of infrastructure, inadequate collection systems, and limited economic incentives.
Solar panel recycling involves several steps to recover valuable materials and minimize the environmental impact. The process typically begins with the removal of the glass cover and the separation of the various components, including the silicon-based PV cells, metal frames, and plastic materials. Next, the individual components undergo further treatment to extract valuable materials such as silicon, silver, aluminum, and copper for reuse in new panel production or other industries.The glass recovered using those methods can be used to create tiles, or in sandblasting – it can also be mixed with other materials to make asphalt – but it cannot be used in applications where high-grade glass is required, such as the production of new solar panels.
There is no readily available data on the exact amount of solar panel waste generated in Sri Lanka, as the country's solar power industry is still relatively young and the scale of panel disposal is not yet significant; however, with the increasing adoption of solar panels, the issue of solar panel waste is becoming more relevant and requires monitoring and proper recycling solutions.
The responsibility for the management of electronic waste in Sri Lanka is devolved to the Central Environmental Authority. The waste management at present is executed by the Collection of Electronic Waste supervised by that Authority. In addition, there are a large number of collectors who collect such waste informally and their work is not supervised by any institution. Herein, it was observed that there are a large number of weaknesses in the process for the issue of licences to the collectors and the methodology of collection of waste by the Collectors. This has been also stated in the National Waste management policy 2019.
Section 6(i)Importer/ Producer/ Agent shall be held responsible for the final disposal of obsolete electronic items.
However,Sri Lanka still lacks a national policy on e waste management. Order No. 15 of the National Environmental (Protection and Quality) Orders No. 1 of 2008 applicable to discarded computers, computer accessories, and mobile phones whilst there was no other control whatsoever in connection with the other electronic and electrical equipment
Recycling challenges
Since the solar industry is relatively new, it will take some time period to generate large amounts of waste panels.This is one reason for the existence of few facilities for recycling solar panels .
Each solar panel contains only tiny fragments of these precious materials and those fragments are so intertwined with other components that, until now, it has not been economically viable to separate them.Over 60% of the value is contained in 3% of the weight of the solar panels.Currently there is not enough silver available to build the millions of solar panels which will be required.Researchers at the University of Leicester announced they had worked out how to extract silver from PV units using a form of saline.
Moreover, the technology is expensive. In Europe, importers or producers of solar panels are responsible for disposing of them when they become expendable. And many favour crushing or shredding the waste – which is far cheaper.
Innovative Solutions
There are a number of solar providers in Sri Lanka. As a solution to effective recycling of solar panel waste , service providers must adopt an extended producer responsibility program. By offering take-back programs for used panels customers can be motivated to support the EPR mechanism. Financial incentives and extended producer responsibility programs can drive manufacturers to design panels with recyclability in mind.
In addition to recycling , there are other options as well. For example Encouraging manufacturers to design longer-lasting and easily repairable solar panels. Promoting second-hand markets for solar panels with remaining efficiency.
Also solar panels can be repurposed for lower-power applications like rural electrification projects. Establishing refurbishment centers to repair and resell used panels is a solution to consider.
Landfilling should be the last option and informal collection and recycling should be discouraged as it leads to environmental pollution.
If the generation within the country is not sufficient to run a recycling factory, it is possible to conduct the dismantling step in Sri Lanka and export for further recycling.Researchers and entrepreneurs are actively exploring innovative recycling techniques to address the specific challenges of solar panel waste. One promising approach is the use of advanced automation and robotic systems to streamline the disassembly process, enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. Furthermore, advancements in chemical recycling methods show promise in recovering materials from end-of-life solar panels that were previously difficult to recycle.
By implementing these strategies, Sri Lanka can develop a sustainable approach to managing solar panel waste while supporting a circular economy.
This requires action from policy makers with clear regulations and a clear producer responsibility to create conditions for companies to prepare, and invest in new technology, new business models, and new processes
Useful Links
Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority: https://www.energy.gov.lk
Central Environmental Authority (CEA), Sri Lanka: https://www.cea.lk
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Reports: https://www.irena.org
Solar Panel Recycling Technologies Overview: https://www.energy.gov
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