Like all products photovoltaic solar panels they have a limited shelf life. Its life cycle averages 25 years. After they have been used for years, they must be changed and the old panels are discarded, but in order not to generate thousands of tons of waste, recycling plants are being developed. solar technology.
In Germany there are already plants that recycle solar panels and can recover from 85% to 90% of the materials and components and can be reused again.
Chemical and thermal processes and treatments are required that separate each metal and component adequately and safely so that they do not generate hazardous and polluting waste.
Currently, the solar industry As it is very young and only a few years ago it has begun to grow significantly worldwide, so the amount of waste is relatively low. But it is expected that in a few years it will increase significantly.
As an example, in 2010 in Europe it is estimated that around 6000 tons of discarded photovoltaic solar panels will be collected for later recycling. According to estimates, in 2030 it may reach 130.000 tons.
It is important to plan and coordinate solar panel collection projects for your recycling.
Not all solar panels are the same since the components are different such as silicon, cadmium, among other metals and materials.
Surely with the growth of the solar industry it will also grow and improve technology and processes to be able to efficiently recycle waste from this industry.
It is important that this sector now worry about designing the best strategies to recycle solar panels that the volumes are relatively small so when the volume grows, the best ways to do it have already been determined.
Achieving that the life cycle of the materials that make up the solar panels is reincorporated into the production process is a great advance towards environmental sustainability.