Further study is needed to reduce the recycling costs and environmental impact of used solar panels, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
Solar to continue rapid rise over this decade but lack of foresight with grid planning could mix with ultra-low prices and waste management troubles to set obstacles in the short and long term.
Italian media are reporting arrests have been made after a probe launched into how a huge number of solar panels earmarked for recycling were subsequently re-labelled and sold to some unspecified African countries.
PV Tech caught up with Lou Trippel, vice president of Product Management at US-based thin-film solar manufacturer and developer First Solar, to discuss how the company’s new Series 6 module has been received, sustainability gains from the transition and even the firm’s consideration of recycling capabilities beyond its thin-film remit.
French waste giant Veolia has opened the first PV recycling facility in France through a partnership with PV Cycle, a not-for-profit take-back and waste management programme for solar in Europe.
The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) has launched a first-of-its-kind national PV recycling program — designed to ensure the sustainability of the US solar market.
