Europe's First Solar Panel Recycling Plant Opens in France

As the UK sees more solar panels nearing the end of their 25-year lifecycle, many are being taken down from rooftops. Traditionally, these panels were sent to general glass recycling facilities. While this process does reclaim some materials, such as glass and aluminum, much of the panel still ends up being burned in cement kilns.

That’s about to change. Enter Europe’s very first solar panel recycling plant, located in France. This facility has already secured contracts to recycle 1,300 tonnes of solar panels in 2018, with ambitious plans to boost that figure to 4,000 tonnes annually by 2022.

French waste management giant Veolia is at the helm of this initiative, working closely with solar recycling organization PV Recycle France. According to Veolia, the growing number of decommissioned panels, particularly those nearing the end of their useful life, made the need for a specialized recycling plant clear.

Revolutionizing Solar Panel Recycling

With state-of-the-art machinery, Veolia’s plant will dismantle panels and recover valuable materials such as glass, silicon, copper, silver, and plastics. This not only reduces waste but also ensures that these resources can be reused to create new panels, reducing the environmental footprint of the solar industry.

Looking ahead, Veolia envisions this approach becoming an international standard. The company hopes that other countries will follow suit, recognizing the importance of dedicated solar panel recycling facilities. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) supports this vision, predicting that the value of recovered PV materials could reach $450 million (£343 million) by 2020 and skyrocket to over $15 billion (£11 million) by 2050.

A Brighter Future

The solar industry is evolving rapidly, and innovations like this recycling plant are key to its sustainability. As we move toward a greener future, staying informed and engaged is crucial. If you're interested in being part of this transformative journey, give us a call at 0800 112 3110 or submit an inquiry form here. Together, we can ensure a cleaner, more sustainable world for generations to come.