The majority of the installed base of photovoltaic solar panels has only been in situ for a few years, but already the industry is turning its attention to the issue of how panels will be recycled at the end of their life.

The European PhotoVoltaic Industry Association is holding its first international conference on recycling in Berlin this week (26 January). The event will consider the latest developments and techniques for recovery and reuse of materials from different types of panels. It will also provide a platform for discussion between the photovoltaics industry and those involved in recycling in related sectors, where processes and recycling capabilities are more advanced.

It is hoped that hearing experiences of dealing with televisions and other electric and electronic goods, and of glass recycling, will highlight technologies and synergies which could be applied to the PV module recycling.

If so, the conference will be an important first step in boosting photovoltaics’ green credentials.