Exploring the Environmental Impact of Solar Panels: Can Solar Panels be Recycled?
Everything You Need To Know About Solar Panel Recycling in Canada
Sunly’s Guide to Solar panel Recycling in 2023
Over the past few years, many people have chosen to install solar panels in an effort to not only be more independent in producing their own electrical power, but also out of concern for the environment. Some have begun to express their concern, however, over the impact of the actual panels themselves. After all, solar panels, while long-lasting, will not last forever. What happens when they reach the end of their useful lifespan? Are they recyclable? If not, is there a net gain or loss in terms of the pollution created?
Solar Panel Recycling in Canada
Although solar energy waste has not become a major issue just yet, the greater number of people seeking sustainable energy through solar power and the impending threat of older solar systems reaching the end of their life span means that thought must be given to solar panel recycling. Unfortunately, photovoltaic cell recycling comes with certain challenges that must be overcome in order to encourage a higher recycling rate.
Although the benefits of solar energy greatly outweigh the issues associated with solar waste at present, we can’t afford to delay in developing more efficient strategies for dealing with it. It is estimated that by 2030, there will be approximately 8 million metric tons of decommissioned solar panels to be dealt with.[1]
What is the Standard Lifetime of Solar Panels?
The question of how long solar panels last comes up often. Solar panels are made to last more than 25 years and as technology and materials improve, they should begin to last considerably longer. In fact, there are panels that were installed as far back as the 1980s that are still working to their expected capacity.
Keep in mind that this isn’t meant to indicate that it will simply stop working once it reaches its expected lifespan. As time passes, solar panels will naturally begin to produce less energy. The rate at which their power output drops is referred to as the degradation rate. Typically, the degradation rate of a solar panel is about 0.5%, which means that its energy production will decrease 0.5% each year.
At this rate of degradation, you can expect a solar panel to still be working at approximately 90% of its original capacity, even after 2 full decades have passed. What makes solar panels stop working is simply the passage of time, exposure to UV rays, and weather cycles, but they may continue to work for many more years past their official lifespan, provided they aren’t physically damaged by weather, debris, or some other factor.
Although a solar panel’s life span is quite long even with little to no maintenance, you can help them last their longest by using a reputable installer and high quality equipment, having them inspected regularly, and protecting them from damage from surrounding trees and other potential hazards.
What Are Solar Panels Made From and How Can They Be Recycled?
Although solar panels may look relatively simple on the surface, there are multiple solar panel components that go into their creation. While some solar panels are made with cadmium telluride or are experimenting with new technology that is still being developed, such as organic photovoltaic cells, the vast majority of them (about 95%) use semiconductors made of crystalline silicon wafers. It’s these photovoltaic cells that create electricity when sunlight strikes the panel, energizing the cell and causing electrons to come loose from atoms within the semiconductor. The motion of the electrons creates the electrical current that provides power.
There are three main types of solar panels: monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and thin-film (amorphous) silicon. Most solar panels use a single crystal. These monocrystalline silicon panels are the most efficient, but also the most expensive. Polycrystalline silicon solar cells use multiple silicon crystals that are melded together. While these are less expensive, they are not as efficient as monocrystalline panels. There are also thin-film solar cells, which are the most flexible but least efficient.
Apart from the silicon solar cells, panels include glass, metal, and wiring. The panels are typically mounted on a plastic or polymer frame.
Solar panels are largely recyclable, with parts that can be reused and refurbished. Roughly 75% of the weight of solar panels comes from the glass, which can be recycled. Copper from the cables, aluminum, and steel can also be recycled. The silicon wafers are not recyclable like glass and plastic; however, companies exist that specialize in reusing silicon cells, melting them down and reclaiming the silicon and assorted other metals.
Learn More: How do Solar Panels Work?
What Are the Challenges Faced in Recycling Solar Panels?
Technically, it might be said that all parts of the solar panel are recyclable, provided the right process is available, but it is a complex process to recycle solar panels fully. In Canada, there is a lack of solar recycling facilities due in part to the failure to classify photovoltaics as hazardous, or electronic waste, despite the hazardous materials used in manufacturing. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of solar panels are recycled.
The recycling process for solar panels is tedious and challenging. The difficulty lies not so much in recycling the individual components, but in separating those components such as glass, aluminum, and the more valuable materials such as tellurium and iridium, from the whole.
To successfully recycle a silicon module, for example, several steps are required:
The aluminum frame must be removed. This is fully recyclable.
The glass must be separated. This is generally about 95% recyclable.
Thermal processing is used to evaporate small plastic components.
The silicon wafers are etched away to be smelted and reused. About 85% is reusable.
Because so few solar panels are presently being recycled, it is becoming problematic for them to end up in landfills, where they can release harmful toxins that are harmful to the environment. Recycling is important to help keep them out of landfills and protect the environment, but that’s not the only reason; recycling allows us to reuse rare and expensive elements.
It’s expected that over the next several years, the value of materials recycled from solar panels will grow dramatically, from about $170 million in 2022 to an estimated $2.7 billion by 2030[2]. This is because the solar industry greatly needs the materials.
Currently, the materials used in solar panels are mined and processed in only a handful of countries, making for a vulnerable supply chain. Sanctions have been placed on some solar products made in China due to allegations of forced labour in the production of polysilicon cells. It is therefore increasingly important to reuse and recycle as much as possible.
Learn More: Are Solar Panels Worth It In Canada?
Solar Panel Recycling Regulations in Canada
At present, Canada is relying on shipping used solar panels out of the country to be processed elsewhere, as it lacks the capacity to recycle them efficiently. Canada also lacks the legislation that would govern them as e-waste, effectively viewing them as not hazardous waste.
There are no regulations in place that makes the recycling of solar panels mandatory and there are no official guidelines for their reuse or disposal. It is expected that nearly 800,000 tonnes of solar panels will make their way into landfills by 2050.[3]
Practical Solutions to Maximize Solar Panel Reuse and Recycling Rates
The challenge of recycling solar panels has been compared to cathode ray tubes, which were used in old TVs. In many cases, CRTs, which contained leaded glass, were dumped or abandoned, or even landfilled illegally.
Some have pointed to the European Union for guidance on incentivizing recycling and reuse, as they have much higher reuse and recycling rates of solar panels. They offer funds and tax incentives for reuse and refurbishment.
Another suggestion has been to require manufacturers to design the panels in such a way that they become easier and less expensive to disassemble. Currently, photovoltaic panels are not designed to be taken apart. Making this change while creating new processes to reclaim and reuse materials might go a long way toward improving the situation.
Ultimately, Canada will need to make more facilities available for proper recycling and create effective reuse and recycling programs for solar panels if we are to keep them from reaching the landfills. By taking some of the responsibility for creating photovoltaic recycling centres, the government could help the process expand more rapidly, which in turn could help promote greater use of solar power. Barring that, the government could also provide the incentives that would encourage companies to create their own recycling facilities.
Solar power offers tremendous benefits at present, and even greater possibilities for the future, but until proper measures are in place to ensure the recycling and reuse of solar panels, it will not be as beneficial as it could be for our environment.
Sunly’s View on Solar Recycling
Here at Sunly we believe in a sustainable future and are always considering new ways to ensure we are growing our green initiatives. At this time we are still young and started installing in 2019. This means we have a few years yet to ensure a sustainable recycling program for the panels we are installing on roofs. We are actively looking into partnering with recycling solutions that will be able to facilitate with the replacement of solar panels as home owners decide it is time for a new system. Other ways we are currently going green is by optimizing routes of our solar advisor and installers, providing e-signing for all contract and continuing to expand our fleet with hybrid and electric vehicles.