How Do You Recycle a Solar Panel?
There's a paradox in the growing global appetite for greener energy. As sales of solar panels and wind turbines increase, so too does the scale of an often-overlooked problem now being stored for future generations. What happens to all the "green" infrastructure when it reaches the end of its life?
When early-generation green technology is replaced, much of it now finds its way into landfill or incinerators. This is not only a blow to waste-reduction efforts, adding hundreds of thousands of tons of rubbish to the global tally every year, but also is also a colossal missed opportunity. Solar panels comprise metals and glass, which, if they were separated and captured, could be reused in the manufacture of other products.
It is possible, through innovative technologies still being developed, to recycle more than 90 percent of a solar panel. But, given the volatility in the value of the resulting raw materials, this is a high-risk sector to develop, and research and development is lacking. Basic recycling schemes do exist, but often focus on two valuable components -- the glass and aluminum frame, for instance -- and discard the rest, including silver, silicon and tin, because it is not yet cost-effective to recycle them.
Vertegy Credited with Helping 15 National and International Projects Earn LEED Certification in 2013
The 15 Projects in Qatar and the U.S. total more than 1.5 million square feet with a
construction value of more than $400 million
FREE ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS FOR ALL-ENERGY 2014
The countdown to All-Energy 2014 (Aberdeen, 21-22 May), the UK's largest renewable energy exhibition and conference, has begun in earnest; with online registration now open at www.all-energy.co.uk allowing free-of-charge entry to all component parts.
Government and UN discuss South African Social Economic Empowerment
African renewables have recently seen unprecedented growth but it is clear there are still challenges ahead, such as Social Economic Empowerment
The future allocation of CSP in South Africa to be decided in the coming weeks
Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) may increase its actual capacity by 2,100 MW in the REIPPPP with the new proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The South African CSP market could be 1.5 times bigger than the current largest market, Spain.
MENA solar market to be worth 50 billion dollars by 2020
According to a Middle East Solar Industry Association report launched today, the solar industry in the Middle East is set to be worth 50 billion dollars.
CSP Today webinar featuring Access Consultant and Eversheds LLP to discuss project development in Saudi Arabia
Complimentary webinar to evaluate the development criteria and challenges of securing land in the upcoming tenders in Saudi Arabia.
CSP Solar Tower plant performance modelled for new markets
CSP Today's Solar Tower Report 2014: Cost, Performance and Thermal Storage explains surge in popularity for the technology and predicts performance using modelled plants.
Shams 1 site visit announced for MENASOL 2014
Attendees of MENASOL 2014 (6-7th May, Dubai) will be given the opportunity to visit the 100MW Shams 1 power plant in Abu Dhabi, the largest parabolic trough power plant in the world.
Via Solar Corp. Launches Their New (844) SOLAR-01 Subsidiary
Los Angeles' top selling solar energy company, Via Solar, launches their new (844) SOLAR-01 subsidiary committed to aiding every aspect of the Los Angeles solar energy market.
Wind Sector VC Funding Reaches $455 Million in 2013, Project Funding $18.1 Billion
Strong IPO activity in wind sector in 2013
JA Solar and Powerway Establish Solar Module Manufacturing Facility in South Africa
Production is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2014
DAVOS CONGRESS CENTRE INSTALLS PV SYSTEM OPTIMIZED WITH SOLAREDGE TECHNOLOGY
The Davos Congress Centre, one of the Alp's most modern congress venues, identified SolarEdge products as next-generation PV technology.
Frost & Sullivan: Strong demand for Waste to Energy from Europe and Asia
This is due to higher population density - Plants are likely to be created in China, the United Kingdom, Central and Eastern Europe (especially Poland), and India
REA & STA challenge Government to set out its 2030 vision for renewables
Associations disappointed at UK Government's watering down of 2030 EU energy and climate change package
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Associations will continue to campaign for binding 2030 Member State renewables targets to boost certainty and bring down costs
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