French Agency Warns Against Reusing Unchecked Second-Hand Solar Panels
JUNE 18ST,2024
The French environmental agency Soren, responsible for collecting and recycling solar panels, collected 5,207 tons of solar modules in 2023, marking a 35% increase from the 3,848 tons collected in 2022.
Nicolas Defrenne, the Director General of this ecological organization, stated in a recent press conference that out of the 5,207 tons of collected solar modules, 4,431 tons came from mainland France, 1,661 tons from Occitania, and 775 tons from overseas territories. Additionally, 4,804 tons of solar modules were collected on-site, while another 403 tons were brought to voluntary collection points.
Defrenne highlighted that of the total amount of processed solar panels (3,631 tons), 3,286 tons (90%) were recycled. The remaining portion was either landfilled (8.87%) or reused (0.64%). However, Defrenne pointed out that "40% of the solar panels dismantled in France did not enter our market because they were sold, resold, or exported through more or less controlled reuse channels, particularly to developing countries."
Soren recognizes the importance of promoting the secondary lifecycle of photovoltaic modules and has collaborated with Envie on recycling production lines. Despite these efforts, the ecological organization noted risks associated with the informal sector.
The organization called for the establishment of certification, including technical tests like electrical insulation and electroluminescence, similar to the re-evaluation and certification of second-hand solar panels by the French startup Solreed. They are also promoting a €3 million ($3.2 million) recycling and reuse fund, which will be used from 2023 to 2027.
The activity report indicated that 320,000 tons of solar panels entered the market in 2023.