Sweden introduces circular roadmap for solar panel waste

Sweden faces a growing challenge with solar energy waste, with scenario analyses from RISE suggesting the country may need to manage up to 150,000 tons of decommissioned solar panels annually by 2060. This volume would exceed the total amount of electrical waste collected in Sweden during 2024.

A new circular roadmap, developed through the CircSolar project, outlines strategies for the assessment, repair, and recycling of solar panels. The initiative involves a collaboration between Axfoundation, KTH, El-Kretsen, Svea Solar, Stena Recycling, and Remondis.

Research from KTH indicates that many panels removed from service are not actually at the end of their functional lifespan. The waste stream includes panels that are still functional, can be repaired, or have never been used. The roadmap aims to extend the life of working panels through systematic quality testing and improved producer responsibility to prevent valuable materials from becoming waste.