Hello, solar enthusiasts! Today, I bring to your attention an area in the solar world that often doesn’t receive enough spotlight – the decommissioning of solar panels and systems at the end of their lifecycle. As we watch solar companies grow and flourish, the industry’s maturation brings about these evolving challenges.
Starting with a familiar problem, many solar companies, and owners are realising that they haven’t adequately assessed the financial implication of the end-of-life treatment for their solar panels for your home or solar array for home projects. Factoring in these costs can significantly influence the profitability and lifecycle costings of solar projects. We’re beginning to see some innovation in this space with companies like Decom Solar stepping up to offer specialized decommissioning services to commercial and industrial clients.
These services could include comprehensive end-of-life PV (photovoltaic) services ranging from decommissioning through to repowering, and even deinstallation and reinstallation, which becomes necessary when roofwork or other infrastructure repairs need to be carried out.
An interesting statistic from Decom Solar reveals that around 85% of the components in the decommissioned panels are still viable for use. This presents an opportunity to either resell these components or donate them to underserved communities, thereby extending their usefulness and reducing environmental impact.
The challenging part, of course, is that many solar array owners have not planned for the costs of decommissioning. Thus, the reselling of usable components can help offset some of these unexpected costs. It certainly highlights the importance for future solar company endeavours to accurately estimate and include these costs in their project financial modeling.
Regulations currently vary by state, with California and Washington leading the way with formal regulation. However, more states are beginning to explore their own regulations. Regardless of the legislative landscape though, every one of us should commit to ensuring that our solar equipment is repurposed or recycled appropriately at the end of its use.
Lastly, it’s important to touch on the optimistic outlook of recycling in the United States. There is growing support within the Department of Energy towards advancing recycling innovation. The Solar Energies Technology Office (SETO) is focused on bringing down PV recycling costs, which could scale up recycling efforts nationwide.
In conclusion, as we continue to encourage solar power adoption, it is critical to remember the life cycle of solar panels and the need for their sustainable disposal or reuse. Being proactive in planning for this will not only reduce the negative environmental impact but will also contribute to the financial viability of solar projects. Together, we can carve out the path to a sustainable solar future.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/09/16/interview-inside-solar-panel-decomissioning/
