Solar technologies have unique features at their end-of-life stage. Current recycling processes for solar panels allow for a technical recycling yield of up to 90% by weight, while the current EU legislation, the WEEE Directive, already requires recycling of solar panels. With an anticipated multi-TW growth of solar capacity in the EU to meet climate, energy and security ambitions, optimising end-of-life management practices in the solar industry becomes a crucial task. This session will explore the latest developments across end-of-life practices for solar, including recycling, reuse, and repowering, from the perspective of different stakeholders in the sector.
Moderator: David Moser, Group Leader - Photovoltaic energy systems, EURAC Research