Featured in Treasure Islands – 08-2024

UP: Breathing new life into old modules

Solar energy is supposed to be an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels but with the industry generating so much waste, the pressure is on to reuse and recycle modules that otherwise enter landfill. Germany’s 2ndlifesolar is one of several companies working on the problem.

By

Blathnaid O’Dea

12 Aug 2024

End-of-life panels are tested and recertified before being resold. Those that don’t make the cut are sent on to recyclers. | Photo: 2ndlifesolar

With care and attention, a lot of the PV modules that might otherwise end up in refuse heaps can either be recycled or resold as “second-life” modules. New module prices are at an all-time low right now, however, which means reselling second-life modules is challenging.“Life was way better and easier for us one-and-a-half years ago,” …

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