If solar panels began to be installed on our roofs and in our countryside many years ago, the question of their recycling is only beginning to arise. But the photovoltaic sector did not wait until the last minute to organize itself in this direction. And fortunately, moreover, because from a few thousand tons to be processed today, the quantity of solar panels at the end of their life should be multiplied by 10 in less than a decade. Report in a recycling center in Hauts-de-France where 200 tonnes were processed on Wednesday alone.
Have you always wondered what this famous “eco participation” (WEEE) of a few cents that you are charged when you buy an electrical or electronic device? We have the answer, concrete, at least as far as solar panels are concerned. Added together, these small amounts constitute the budget of Soren, the organization approved by the State in charge of the collection and recycling of solar panels on French territory. The non-profit organization is owned by eight main players in the photovoltaic sector, including Engie, which chairs it. Today, the structure remains relatively small with its 6 employees and its budget of 6 million euros. “This budget is essentially supplemented by the ecotax. But we provision the same amount each year to be able to cope with the increase in activity in the years to come,” explains Vianney De Lavernée, president of Soren.
50,000 tons of panels per year within a decade
A few figures to get an idea of what the future holds for the solar panel recycling industry. Between 2015 and 2020, 16,000 tons were processed. In the month of July alone, the recycling company Galloo, holder of the contract for two years, passed on 3,600 tonnes of used panels. In 2022, the figure should reach 5,000 tonnes. “Within ten years, we should reach annual volumes of 50,000 tons”, assures the president by Soren. The manna is therefore not there to dry up, in particular because solar power is on the rise. In 2021 alone, 8 million panels were installed in France according to Soren.
The other advantage of photovoltaics, in addition to providing green energy, is that the panels are 90% recyclable. “Aluminium, copper, the metallized sheets that compose them are all materials that constitute reusable raw materials. Even glass is used to make substitute materials,” says Rudy Hennion from Galloo. The remaining 10% goes to energy recovery with an estimated loss of between 5 and 7%. “Recycling is ultimately a strategic and ecological sector since, insists Vianney De Lavernée. This saves resources by creating raw materials that can be used directly on our territory”.
The fairly simple recycling process is not specific to solar panels. Once the power cables have been cut, the panels are sent for crushing. What emerges from the crusher is then passed through baths of different density allowing the targeted recovery of materials. Admittedly, this requires very large machines, and some steps are quite tedious. “Working in collaboration with recycling companies will allow us to think about the design of future generations of panels in order to further facilitate their end-of-life treatment”, adds the boss of Soren. A long-term vision, the lifespan of a panel being estimated between 30 and 40 years.