Solar panels and batteries to be exempt from import duty and VAT – 2027 Budget

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.