Keeping Landfills Free of Solar PV Waste

摘要

Advancements in the solar PV industry have come from all areas. Jumps in solar panel efficiencies have improved energy output, markets have matured, project financing has become readily available, and module prices have dropped exponentially. These notable developments have established the technology as a viable and cost-effective method of power generation; solar today is cost-competitive with fossil fuel generation. The industry has matured significantly over the past decade. With solar deployment expected to reach terawatt levels over the next decade, a greater focus will be on the materials and resources used to build these PV systems. The first significant amount of waste from PV panels is expected worldwide by the mid 2020s. The question is, what to do with PV when it reaches the end of its life?