Solar Waste Silver Recycling: Establishing New Markets for Silver Retrieval from Solar Panels

In the face of growing renewable energy adoption, particularly in Australia where over 4 million homes and businesses have rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels, the need for effective solar panel recycling is becoming increasingly crucial. As the first major wave of solar panel retirements approaches, a significant amount of recyclable material will become available, coinciding with historically high silver market dynamics.

Each standard PV panel contains approximately 20 grams of silver used in conductive elements. This critical resource is in high demand, with industrial silver demand reaching 680 million ounces in 2024, and the photovoltaic sector and artificial intelligence hardware manufacturing being the fastest-growing consumers. Silver prices have also seen a substantial increase, rising by more than 150% since 2018, from approximately US$15 per ounce to around US$38 today.

Traditional solar panel recycling methods have drawbacks, including high energy consumption, low recovery rates for high-value components, and environmental concerns. However, advancements in recycling technologies offer a promising solution. These technologies can recover more than 95% of the silver content in a form pure enough for direct reuse in semiconductor manufacturing or new solar cells, significantly outperforming conventional methods.

Advanced recycling technologies also preserve silicon wafers and glass sheets in reusable form, delivering three to four times greater value recovery compared to conventional recycling methods. By 2030, an estimated 300,000 tonnes of solar panel waste will be generated, containing approximately 6,000 kg of recoverable silver with an approximate value of US$7.3 million (at 2025 prices). By 2035, this estimate increases to 1 million tonnes of waste, containing 20,000 kg of silver with an approximate value of US$24.3 million.

The solar panel recycling model could serve as a template for other clean energy technologies approaching end-of-life, such as wind turbine blades, electric vehicle batteries, and energy storage systems. The industry represents a valuable urban mine that can contribute significantly to resource security as silver demand continues to outpace supply.

Policies such as extended producer responsibility programs, landfill bans for electronic waste, recycling incentives, and minimum recycled content requirements for new panels could all accelerate the development of solar recycling infrastructure. These measures, combined with advancements in recycling technologies, could help ensure a sustainable supply of minerals, reduce dependency on mined resources, and minimise environmental impact.

By 2050, the estimated solar panel waste could reach 8+ million tonnes, containing over 160,000+ kg of silver with an approximate value of US$194+ million. The growing importance of solar panel recycling is clear, not just for Australia, but for the world as we strive towards a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

Solar Waste Silver Recycling: Establishing New Markets for Silver Retrieval from Solar Panels