Photo taken on Oct. 25, 2024 shows solar panels in Konya, Türkiye. Renewable solar energy is gaining popularity in Türkiye. Yet, the decommissioning of solar panels may pose significant challenges for the country, Turkish experts said, calling for effective management of solar panel waste. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
ANKARA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Renewable solar energy is gaining popularity in Türkiye. Yet, the decommissioning of solar panels may pose significant challenges for the country, Turkish experts said, calling for effective management of solar panel waste.
While solar panels provide a clean energy source, their waste must be carefully managed to avoid environmental harm, Tayfun Hiz, a solar energy researcher, told Xinhua in a recent interview.
Hiz, an expert at the Middle East Technical University Center for Solar Energy Research and Applications, said that over 40 million photovoltaic modules are currently in use across Türkiye.
As part of its efforts to promote renewable energy, Türkiye has significantly increased its solar power capacity in recent years.
According to a report by the Turkish Solar Energy Industry Association, Türkiye's installed solar capacity reached 17.9 GW in September 2024 and is expected to reach 52.9 GW by 2035.
Hiz predicts that between 2030 and 2035, Türkiye could see an influx of about 800,000 tons of solar panel waste, given that solar panels generally have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years.
Hiz stressed the importance of effective waste management as "approximately 90 percent of a solar panel can be recycled."
According to the expert, solar panels contain valuable components like silicon cells, copper, and silver, and improper disposal could lead to both economic losses and environmental harm.
To better save costs and protect the environment, he advocates for a circular economy approach that prioritizes the reuse and refurbishment of undamaged panels.
Noting that the Turkish government is keen on addressing the issue, the researcher stressed that it is equally important for solar panel manufacturers and investors to take waste management seriously from the start, incorporating panel disposal considerations into their equipment contracts.
Esen Erkan Yildiz, secretary general of the International Solar Energy Society Türkiye Section, has noticed the criticisms faced by the solar industry for the accumulation of photovoltaic waste, the rising demand for raw materials, and the insufficient recycling solutions.
The issue of solar panel waste, "which is very important for the future of our industry, is on our agenda," she told Xinhua.
"We will continue our preparations for our members and the Turkish photovoltaic industry to make an action plan on recycling technologies and take early precautions," she said. ■
Photo taken on Oct. 25, 2024 shows solar panels in Konya, Türkiye. Renewable solar energy is gaining popularity in Türkiye. Yet, the decommissioning of solar panels may pose significant challenges for the country, Turkish experts said, calling for effective management of solar panel waste. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
Photo taken on Oct. 25, 2024 shows solar panels in Konya, Türkiye. Renewable solar energy is gaining popularity in Türkiye. Yet, the decommissioning of solar panels may pose significant challenges for the country, Turkish experts said, calling for effective management of solar panel waste. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
