Australian researchers, led by RMIT University, have launched a groundbreaking solar panel recycling hub in Spain. This initiative aims to recover valuable metals from discarded panels, significantly impacting the global push for a circular economy.
In a groundbreaking endeavor to manage solar panel waste and recover valuable materials, Australian researchers have taken a significant step by unveiling a dedicated work and exhibition space at engineering company EDIPAE’s site in Tomelloso, Spain. The initiative, spearheaded by RMIT University, highlights international efforts to create sustainable, cost-effective solutions for solar panel recycling.
As the use of solar panels continues to surge worldwide, so too does the pressing issue of their disposal. It’s predicted that, in Australia alone, over 100,000 tonnes of solar panels will become waste by 2035. These panels include billions of dollars’ worth of materials like silver and copper that could be recovered rather than left to languish in landfills.
The new facility in Tomelloso, which opened on June 13, serves as a collaboration hub for researchers and industry experts dedicated to refining and commercializing the recycling process for solar panels. Carlos Miralles Sánchez, director of EDIPAE, expressed the company’s commitment to fostering a circular economy for solar panels.
“We now have a physical space to work with researchers on a cheaper and easier recycling solution through this Australian technology,” he said in a statement. The facility also includes a workshop equipped to develop and showcase prototypes.
This collaboration extends beyond recycling technology; it will also provide employment and educational opportunities locally. The University of Castilla-La Mancha, a technological partner, plans to use the space for training workshops and further research through its Renewable Energy Research Institute.
Ylias Sabri, research fellow at RMIT University, underscored the critical need for a robust recycling infrastructure for solar panels.
“Solar panels have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years and contain valuable metals including silver and copper,” Sabri said in the statement. “But there’s historically been little interest in recovering these strategic metals from discarded panels as it’s difficult and expensive to do, so they end up in landfill.”
The innovative approaches being developed by Sabri and his team aim to transform the economic feasibility of recycling solar panels, thus helping to sustain the growing market and generate new jobs.
“RMIT is in a prime position to support this large and growing market and consequent job creation,” Sabri added.
The Integrating End of Life Solar Panel Waste in Circular Economy network is funded by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. This multidisciplinary network brings together experts from diverse institutions, including New York University, the University of Castilla-La Mancha and King’s College London, among others.
The new solar panel recycling hub in Tomelloso stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts required to tackle global environmental challenges. Through innovation and international cooperation, this project holds promise for making significant strides toward a sustainable future.