Snapshots

A Unique Approach to Re-use and Recycle Solar PV Panels

There is increasing recognition of the benefits of circular supply chains in the solar PV industry. While 94% of a solar panel's components are recyclable, the complexities of the specialised processes make them still expensive, and the lack of standardisation for guaranteeing the performance and safety of second-hand panels and components constrains the development of such market streams.

Aligned with the extended producer responsibility (EPR) regulation of the European Union, France has been pro-active in addressing solar PV waste. The EPR regulation holds manufacturers and producers accountable for the entire life cycle of certain products – including PV panels – from collection to treatment, re-use and recycling. The EPR concept ensures that the producers of the PV panels also bear the costs associated with managing their waste.

In France, SOREN, a non-profit recovery system (“éco-organisation”) founded in 2014, is accredited by the government to manage both collection and recycling by operating private tendering procedures. In 2023, SOREN recovered 5,207 tonnes of solar modules (35% more than in 2022), of which 3,631 tonnes were processed, managing to recycle up to 90% of them.

SOREN collects used PV panels at no cost to the owners, regardless of the technology, brand or year of marketing. The process is financed through the “eco-participation” system, which applies also to sectors. In the case of the solar PV sector, companies pay a contribution to SOREN for each product put into the market. The contribution is determined by a set of criteria such as the weight of the panel and the technology.

SOREN has also partnered with ENVIE 2E, a social enterprise specialised in recycling and re-use, to develop a market stream for second-hand solar panels. This includes guaranteeing safety, performance and a minimum lifespan, enabling a second life for the PV panels and therefore saving precious resources. As the adoption of solar energy continues to expand, it becomes crucial to implement circularity in the PV industry, extending the lifetime of panels and recovering valuable components from used panels, which can then be reprocessed into new materials or products.

Source: See endnote 79 for this section.