Renewable: Solar waste time bomb
Context
Your company is a leader in solar panel production, but soon millions of panels will need to be replaced, creating a massive waste problem and environmental damage. Recycling infrastructure is lacking.
Dilemma
Do you:
A) Invest in solar panel recycling infrastructure now, despite high upfront costs and potential short-term growth slowdown, to prevent a future waste crisis.
B) Focus on expanding production and market share, deferring recycling investments, while risking long-term environmental harm from massive solar panel waste.
Summary
With over 2.5 billion solar panels installed globally, experts warn of a potential "waste mountain" by 2050 as panels degrade after 25–30 years. Current recycling infrastructure is inadequate—most facilities only recover low-value glass and aluminum, while precious materials like silver and copper are lost. France’s new ROSI plant aims to extract 99% of materials, including high-purity silicon and silver, critical for new panels. However, scaling remains a challenge; only 4,000 tonnes were recycled in France last year. Without rapid investment in recycling systems, 200 million tonnes of solar waste could accumulate by 2050—half of today’s annual plastic production. The race is on to turn retired panels into resources.
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| Last modified: | 29 April 2025 2.06 p.m. |