📋 Tender Overview
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) investigated which ways are being developed to reuse raw materials from solar panels. The four ways described by RIVM in this report are more sustainable than how solar panels are currently processed. This concerns the glass, the silicon from solar cells and the plastic backing. Attention should also be paid to the hazardous substances lead, antimony and PFAS(Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). From 2030 onwards, more and more solar panels will be replaced. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) therefore recommends encouraging the development towards sustainable design and recycling.
The Netherlands aims for a circular economy by 2050. To achieve this, it is also important to recycle solar panels sustainably. Because there are more and more solar panels in the Netherlands. From 2030 onwards, many solar panels will already need to be renewed.
More sustainable than what we do now
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) analysed four ways in which solar panels can be recycled sustainably. This concerns the glass, the silicon from solar cells and the plastic backing. At the moment, the glass is crushed together with the solar cells and the back sheet and used in a low-grade way. All processing methods are more sustainable and better for the environment than what we do now.
Reusing raw materials requires less energy
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) investigated which options appear to be feasible in practice and how environmentally friendly they are. In all cases, the energy consumption is lower than how solar panels are currently processed. This is because, for example, it takes more energy to make new raw materials for solar panels than to work with recycled raw materials. The most circular way is to turn glass into new glass for solar panels. In this variant, the raw material silicon can also be recovered for new solar cells. This is technologically complicated but possible.
Attention needed for the recycling of hazardous substances
Solar panels contain the hazardous substances lead, antimony and PFAS(Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). It is important to pay attention to this when recycling. Lead is in the soldering material, and antimony ensures the clarity of the glass. PFAS are found in the back of solar panels. PFAS can be released when burned. The method of recycling determines whether and how the substance is released and whether people and the environment can be exposed to it.
Recommendations: Pay attention to recycling at the design stage
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) advises the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (I&W(Infrastructure and Water Management)) to encourage technological developments to recycle solar panels. Then the sustainable recycling of solar panels will be feasible in 5 years' time.
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) also recommends encouraging recycling to be taken into account at the design stage. This applies, for example, to the way in which the solar cells are glued to the glass and the back sheet. It is also important to use hazardous substances as little as possible. Lead-free and PFAS-free solar panels are already on sale.
