Report
Solar photovoltaic module retirement in the State of Washington : preliminary analysis and recommendations for further study
WSUEEP, 21-007, Washington State University Extension Energy Program
07/2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000006900
Abstract
Due to the decreasing cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules and the push to reduce carbon emissions, national solar PV installations have increased rapidly. Solar is the fastest growing energy source in the U.S., representing 43% of added capacity in 2020. However, key clean energy technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, and lithium‐ion batteries are also material‐intensive. Furthermore, discarded solar panels may be hazardous to the surrounding environment, due to the presence of trace heavy metals such as silver, lead, and cadmium if disposed of incorrectly. The recycling and reuse of solar PV modules is therefore critical to avoid improper disposal, reduce the environmental and social impacts of energy production, conserve resources, and reduce resource constraints by enabling the domestic recovery of high value raw materials. To support the development of a sustainable end‐of‐life pathway for PV modules in Washington State, this report provides an overview of the solar PV market in the state, then estimates the timing of future module retirements, as well as the volume and composition of the corresponding waste stream based on historical installation data.
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Details
- Title
- Solar photovoltaic module retirement in the State of Washington : preliminary analysis and recommendations for further study
- Creators
- Washington State University. Extension. Energy Program (Institution)Jessica Dunn (Author) - University of California, DavisMeg Slattery (Author) - University of California, Davis
- Academic Unit
- Publications, WSU Extension; WSU Energy Program
- Series
- WSUEEP; 21-007
- Publisher
- Washington State University Extension Energy Program; Olympia, Washington
- Format
- pdf
- Identifiers
- 99901156439201842
- Copyright
- http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Report