RESOURCE OPPORTUNITY: Solar panels on the roof can become the bricks to build a house
Wear and tear means they all need replacement at some point, but they are full of valuable materials that can be recycled and repurposed.
Solar panels nearing the end of their lifespan are emerging as a valuable resource, offering opportunities for recycling and repurposing materials that can benefit South Africa's struggling manufacturing sector. As the country experiences some of the highest levels of solar irradiance globally, the lifespan of solar panels is shorter than anticipated.
This has led to an estimated 500,000 tonnes of solar panels set to reach the scrap heap between 2043 and 2048, presenting a significant growth area for the recycling industry.
During a visit to Reclite SA, a recycling facility in Germiston, Gauteng, it was revealed that the firm is on track to recover around 10,000 tonnes of solar panels this year. The process of recycling these panels involves extracting valuable materials such as aluminium, copper, silicon, and silver, with glass accounting for 60% to 70% of a solar panel's weight. At the facility, skilled workers manually dislodge the frame from the glass without causing damage, ensuring the glass is safe to handle.
The deburred glass shards are then processed and transformed into various products, including blasting materials, filtration products, coatings, and building applications such as bricks. Ground into a fine powder, the glass can be used as a filler material, providing a cost-effective and locally-sourced alternative to traditional manufacturing methods.
By repurposing these materials, South Africa can support its "beneficiation" goals and contribute to the deindustrialisation challenge, ultimately boosting the local manufacturing sector.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
