Highlights
- China is the world’s biggest renewable gear manufacturer and consumer.
- As older projects are replaced and decommissioned, waste volumes are set to soar, with large amounts of capacity already approaching retirement age, posing big environmental risks.
- China is drawing up new industrial standards and rules detailing the proper ways to decommission, dismantle and recycle wind and solar facilities.
The problem
Here’s one for you: Solar panels have an “expiry” date. It’s about 25 years, and they go kaput. They can no longer generate as much energy as they did when they were brand new.
Bummer.
So, what do we do with all those ineffective panels?
Here’s another. Imagine all the currently installed solar panels around the world. All quietly ticking towards their “uselessness.”
According to our trusty AI:
As of 2022, about 1.3 terawatts (TW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity was installed worldwide. This is equivalent to about 2.2 billion square meters (26 billion square feet) of solar panels.
By 2050, it is estimated that about 20 TW of solar PV capacity will be installed worldwide, equivalent to about 30 billion square meters (32 billion square feet) of solar panels.
2050 is about two-and-something decades from now. Again, what happens to all the decommissioned solar panels and wind turbines?
Proactive Clean Energy Waste Solutions
China
The world’s leading renewable equipment manufacturer is tackling a significant challenge head-on: the mounting issue of clean energy waste.
As the nation strives to decarbonize its economy and reduce coal dependency, the rapid proliferation of wind turbines and solar panels has brought about a new environmental concern – one that underscores the pressing need for dedicated solar and wind equipment recycling plants.
China’s Renewable Energy Surge and Its Environmental Fallout
China has embarked on an ambitious journey to lead the transition to cleaner energy sources. With its sights set on achieving 1,200 gigawatts of wind and solar capacity by 2030, up from 758 gigawatts in 2022, the nation is undeniably making significant strides toward a greener future.
However, this transition comes at a cost – a cost that wasn’t fully anticipated until now.
As older wind and solar projects reach the end of their operational lives, a new challenge has emerged: the management of massive volumes of discarded equipment.
The problem is a stark reminder that environmental responsibility extends beyond energy generation; it encompasses the entire lifecycle of the technology.
The Urgent Need for Solar and Wind Equipment Recycling Plants
Recognizing the impending environmental risks, China is leading the charge in finding a solution. The establishment of a recycling system for aging wind turbines and solar panels highlights a pivotal shift in perspective.
This system will include new industrial standards and rules detailing the proper ways to decommission, dismantle, and recycle these facilities. The goal is to have a “basically mature” full-process recycling system in place by the end of the decade.
China’s official Science and Technology Daily newspaper has reported experts’ estimations that the nation will need to recycle a staggering 1.5 million metric tons of PV modules by 2030, with the numbers skyrocketing to around 20 million tons by 2050. These figures paint a clear picture of the impending waste crisis.
Clean Energy Waste: A Global Concern Requiring Collective Action
The issue of waste from renewable energy sources isn’t confined to China alone. It’s a burgeoning global concern that demands collaborative efforts. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has projected a staggering scenario – total waste from solar projects could reach a monumental 212 million tons annually by 2050.
The urgency of the situation compels us to take action, innovate, and establish recycling systems that can mitigate the environmental impact of renewable energy waste on a global scale.
