As Millions of Solar Panels Age Out, Recyclers Hope to Cash In

[JayDubya]

As Millions of Solar Panels Age Out, Recyclers Hope to Cash In​

Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, but they contain valuable metals, including silver and copper. With a surge of expired panels expected soon, companies are emerging that seek to recycle the reusable materials and keep the panels out of landfills.

https://e360.yale.edu/features/solar-energy-panels-recycling?utm_source=pocket-newtab

 

[glockngold]

As Millions of Solar Panels Age Out, Recyclers Hope to Cash In​

Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, but they contain valuable metals, including silver and copper. With a surge of expired panels expected soon, companies are emerging that seek to recycle the reusable materials and keep the panels out of landfills.

https://e360.yale.edu/features/solar-energy-panels-recycling?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Well, if it's taking place in Odessa, at least they don't have to worry about harming the taste of the local water supply.
Had a gig there 40 some years ago & what I remember is an outdoor jacuzzi in the winter
And the worst tap water I have ever tasted.
I hope someone can make a go of recycling panels without the government subsidizing the process because green etc.

 

[OldGarandDad]

I have a neighbor that builds recycling plants. He says no one is recycling solar panels at scale. Communities don’t want the heavy metals like cadmium leaching from the plants plus it’s very labor intensive. When your local restaurant can’t find staff what makes you think that same semi skilled labor wants deal with hazardous materials for nearly the same pay?

 

[CiscoKid]

As Millions of Solar Panels Age Out, Recyclers Hope to Cash In​

Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years, but they contain valuable metals, including silver and copper. With a surge of expired panels expected soon, companies are emerging that seek to recycle the reusable materials and keep the panels out of landfills.

https://e360.yale.edu/features/solar-energy-panels-recycling?utm_source=pocket-newtab

I was playing golf with a custom builder last summer and he pointed out all the houses lining the golf course that had solar panels. He made the comment that landfills won't take the panels. He said that nobody wanted them and that you couldn't even pay landfills to take them because they leech chemicals that contaminate the ground and get into the ground water.

 

[Joe King]

If landfills won't take them, people will still get rid of them somehow.
....and probably in worse ways than by putting them in landfills.

 

[CiscoKid]

If landfills won't take them, people will still get rid of them somehow.
....and probably in worse ways than by putting them in landfills.

Absolutely.

 

[searcher]

EPA stuff................

End-of-Life Solar Panels: Regulations and Management | US EPA

When solar panels, which typically have a 25-30 year lifespan, reach the end of their lives and become waste, they must be managed safely. Learn about this renewable energy waste, different types of solar panels and how they are regulated.

www.epa.gov

IER...............................

The Mounting Solar Panel Waste Problem

Solar photovoltaic panels, whose operating life is 20 to 30 years, lose productivity over time. The International Renewable Energy Agency…

www.instituteforenergyresearch.org

 

[glockngold]

This problem will probably be solved by the government who has taken care of the permanent site for nuclear waste disposal.
Right?

 

[Joe King]

What is it that cause them to only have a 25-30 year lifespan? They have no moving parts, but something must wear out in them.

 

[Viking]

What is it that cause them to only have a 25-30 year lifespan? They have no moving parts, but something must wear out in them.

Loss of power output due to heat, UV radiation, and moisture, some solar panels are susceptible to potential induced degradation (PID), which can occur when stray voltages build upon the panel’s surface and cause it to break down.

After 25 years, panels typically still have over 80%, sometimes up to 90% of the original rated power producing capability.

So yes, they might be replaced in 30 years or less, but that doesn’t mean they’re not producing power. If space is limited, it makes sense to put new or more efficient panels up. But if it’s out in a field you could leave them longer and just add more panels if you need the power.

 

[OldGarandDad]

Loss of power output due to heat, UV radiation, and moisture, some solar panels are susceptible to potential induced degradation (PID), which can occur when stray voltages build upon the panel’s surface and cause it to break down.

After 25 years, panels typically still have over 80%, sometimes up to 90% of the original rated power producing capability.

So yes, they might be replaced in 30 years or less, but that doesn’t mean they’re not producing power. If space is limited, it makes sense to put new or more efficient panels up. But if it’s out in a field you could leave them longer and just add more panels if you need the power.

I agree but considering China is the largest producer of solar panels and has a more than a dubious reputation for shoddy quality control how many panels do you think actually make it to the 30 year mark and still produce acceptable amounts of electricity?

 

[Viking]

I agree but considering China is the largest producer of solar panels and has a more than a dubious reputation for shoddy quality control how many panels do you think actually make it to the 30 year mark and still produce acceptable amounts of electricity?

Chinese solar panels I’ve been on the market for quite a while. And the degradation has already been measured as a linear curve. So they can project 30+ years out.

 

[Buck]

bury them next to those wind turbine blades, right next to that growing pile of dead lithium batteries


they've not only destroyed us as we are, they've destroyed our future, all on the basis of Progress



and no one will be blamed for the complete destruction of our environment

 

[CiscoKid]

bury them next to those wind turbine blades, right next to that growing pile of dead lithium batteries


they've not only destroyed us as we are, they've destroyed our future, all on the basis of Progress



and no one will be blamed for the complete destruction of our environment

When the landfills full of these toxic elements start leeching into the ground water, the politicians will convince the low IQ rabble that it is the next existential crisis and that they must give up any liberties they may have remaining and, of course, give the politicians more money to "fix" it. The politicians will fly millions of miles a year around the world in private jets, wining and dining other scam artists, and laughing the whole way to the bank.


After all, it's working so far for them.


Perhaps they will be able to find another autistic girl with a 9th grade education suffering from fetal alcohol syndrome to be their spokesperson.