Nearly 8MT aluminium is used in solar photovoltaic – what is happening to its circularity at end-of-life?
End-of-life management of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is fast emerging as a challenge and a strategic priority for manufacturing industries worldwide. Especially, aluminium circularity is becoming a focal point considering the metal accounts for more than about 85 per cent of PV component materials like frames and mounting structures. Truth to be told, solar waste is a growing concern now with the rapid rise in PV installations globally. In 2024, global installed capacity exceeded 2.2 TW, with nearly 600 GW added in a single year. Going by the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) estimation, around 1.7-8 million tonnes of waste are likely to be generated from PV modules by 2030, and that by 2050, is expected to soar to between 60 and 78 million tonnes, a substantial share of which will consist of aluminium scrap.
Currently, PV module waste and scrap by material type looks like this –
Source: IAI
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Imports of aluminium scrap and aluminium alloys both increased in December, with Thailand's aluminium scrap imports accounting for 23.3 per cent of total imports
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