Reuse or replace? IEA PVPS analysis considers all options for underperfoming PV modules
In a new report, experts from the International Energy Agency Photovoltaic Power System Programme (IEA-PVPS) have assessed the economical and environmental benefits of repairing and reusing or replacing solar modules that are not complying with a 30-year expected lifetime.
Lithium-ion recycler and manufacturer secures $70 million investment
Funds are expected to support commercialization of company’s closed loop battery material production.
Aging solar panels present an opportunity for a circular economy
Analysts at NREL modeled PV recycling strategies and found that current incentives are not well-aligned to drive recycling.
Startup Sunday: Ample raises $160m from Shell and others for EV battery-swap stations
Also starting up: ROSI recycles at multiple stages of PV lifecycle, and Comcast Ventures leads a funding round for a provider of AI-powered home energy improvements.
Recycling: a key in the U.S. quest for lithium-ion battery supply chain relevancy
As the use of lithium batteries is set to grow rapidly over the next decade, researchers and businesses are turning to recycling to address global raw material supply-chain issues.
NREL looks at barriers to lithium-ion battery recycling and sees opportunities
The analysts assessed the current state of reuse and recycling of large-format lithium-ion batteries used in EVs and battery energy storage and found there is plenty of room for improvement.
Solar panel recycling in the US — a looming issue that could harm industry growth and reputation
The solar industry cannot claim to be a clean energy source if it leaves a trail of hazardous waste.
New process to recover PET and EVA from recycled solar panels
Researchers in China are proposing a new technique to recover polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) in solar panels at the end of their lifecycle. The two materials represent around 15% of the total material in a wasted solar cell, with a share of 10% for EVA and 5% for PET, respectively.
Solar panel recycling: Turning ticking time bombs into opportunities
With the average lifespan of a solar panel at roughly 20 years, installations from the early 2000s are set to reach end-of-life. Will they end up in landfill or be recycled? The cost of recycling is higher than landfill, and the value of recovered materials is smaller than the original, so there’s limited interest in recycling. But given the presence of heavy metals, if waste is managed poorly, we’re on track for another recycling crisis.
It may be safe to put PV panels in landfills, but that doesn’t mean we should
According to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA), health risks from lead in crystalline silicon PV panels are one order of magnitude — or about one-tenth — below the risk levels set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
