How to deal with abandoned solar power generation

Will large-scale solar and wind projects repower or decommission?

Few large-scale solar and wind projects have reached the end of their lifespan in the Midwest; in the coming years, a large volume of projects will reach the decision to repower or decommission at the same time.

What is the end of life of a solar or wind project?

Note: In this post, a solar or wind project’s “end of life” is defined as the point at which the physical components of the renewable energy system have reached the end of their useful life and need to be replaced, and the point at which the project owner must decide whether to repower or decommission.

Why are there so few facilities for recycling solar panels?

The reason there are so few facilities for recycling solar panels is because there has not been much waste to process and reuse until recently. The first generation of domestic solar panels is only now coming to the end of its usable life. With those units now approaching retirement, experts say urgent action is needed.

Can solar panels be recycled?

As well as recycling the glass fronts and aluminium frames, the new factory can recover nearly all of the precious materials contained within the panels, such as silver and copper, which are typically some of the hardest materials to extract. These rare materials can subsequently be recycled and reused to make new, more powerful, solar units.

Are solar panels causing waste?

The growth of solar energy over the years has generated millions of tonnes of panel waste that usually end up in landfills. But some companies in the US have started to tackle this issue. Maintaining efficiency requires renewing solar cells, creating waste. Credit: Kampan via Shutterstock.

Should local governments plan ahead for solar decommissioning?

It is pru-dent for local governments to plan ahead for solar decommissioning and create ordinances that spell out expectations and obligations. This ensures that financial responsibility for decommissioning falls to the project owner and not the county and land- owners.