Are solar panels the next e-waste?

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 04 Sep 2010, 06:17

The Guardian - 03/09/10

As solar photovoltaic panels go mainstream, Eric Gies looks at the environmental impact of making and disposing of them.

Article continues ...

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 04 Sep 2010, 10:01

It's an important issue and it's good to see that some folk are addressing it, but maybe Erica Gies is painting a pessimistic picture. She says "Solar modules have an expected lifespan of at least 20 years..." but doesn't say that most modules come with a manufacturers' warranty for better than 80% original performance after 25 years. And the poisonous substances are in rather low concentrations and pretty firmly held within the structure. For sure some will be scrapped early and it's good to see that recycling rather than landfill is being organised ahead of need.

hardworkinghippy · Post by **hardworkinghippy** » 04 Sep 2010, 10:21

I don't see any reason why the panels which are sturdy and light can't be recycled and used as roof tiles.

Our first panels which I bought as seconds and knew would be useless after 15 years are in use as table tops.

Post by **adam2** » 06 Sep 2010, 08:51

As others post, it would be well to plan for the proper disposal of defective or redundant PV modules, but I doubt that it will be a big problem.
The expected lifetime of PV modules is at least 50 years, and probably longer, though with declining output.
In 50 years time, an "80 watt" PV module that now only produces 40 watts could still be valuable for small battery charging systems.

I doubt that many functioning modules will be dicarded.

Non functional ones might still have some secondary uses, as roofing or even table tops as suggested above.

snow hope · Post by **snow hope** » 06 Sep 2010, 09:59

Functional TVs, sofas, everything else are discarded currently......

Post by **adam2** » 06 Sep 2010, 10:47

snow hope wrote:Functional TVs, sofas, everything else are discarded currently......

True, but not the same IMHO
TVs sofas and many other articles are replaced when still functional because people want a different style, or a bigger or "better" TV or sofa.

I cant imagine many people discarding functional PV modules because a new style is now marketed.
New modules might be added if needs increase, but probably not instead of the originals.

A better analogy might be roofing, this requires replacement when it blows away or the rain gets in, very few people replace a roof because a new sort is available.

raspberry-blower · Post by **raspberry-blower** » 06 Sep 2010, 12:39

The next major e-waste stream will be from smart meters, not solar PV.

Smart meters form the backbone of the UK Low Carbon Plan and they are to be rolled out nationwide by 2020. Some wireless meters can only operate through one energy supplier - what happens if the householders switch energy supplier?

Also, some don't operate - or can crack, in humid conditions (careful with that LCD) and it is preferred that they are installed by a professional electrician otherwise wireless smart meters could interfere with other electronic equipment.

Expect this to become a major problem for someone, somewhere in the coming decade.

PS_RalphW · Post by **PS_RalphW** » 06 Sep 2010, 13:43

And how does this compare with the mobile phone recycling?

Phones may be small, but even I am on my third model, the first two having died from age and neglect. No self-respecting teenager would be seen with a phone more than a year old, and there are tens of millions of those in the rich 1 billion of the planet.

Also, I think I have had at least 5 personal computers in the last 15 years. Wa all know where those end up

(My last one was sent to an ethical recycler).

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 06 Sep 2010, 17:28

Fils refers to my mobile as "Mum's stone-age phone"

It's my third: one got nicked and one fell to bits. I've had it since 2002.