File photo of a solar panels
Ghana has the potential to recover around $4 million from solar photovoltaic waste by implementing effective recycling and materials recovery strategies.
The study by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, published in the International Journal of Green Energy, noted that the country is expected to generate approximately 324,000 kilograms of photovoltaic waste between 2043 and 2060.
Researchers at KNUST, led by Professor David Ato Quansah, have conducted a groundbreaking study providing the first quantitative assessment of photovoltaic (PV) waste in Ghana.
The study highlights that most of the expected PV waste will comprise non-metal components like glass and polymers, as well as hazardous substances.
If not managed properly, these materials pose significant environmental and health risks.
To mitigate this, the researchers emphasise the importance of timely action to harness the economic benefits of recycling end-of-life PV modules associated with environmental risks.
“Early intervention will help Ghana avoid the complex challenges of managing end-of-life PV modules while tapping into the economic potential they offer鈥 they stated.
According to them, without these measures, Ghana stands to lose the environmental benefits of its renewable energy sector and miss out on the economic opportunities presented by recycling retired solar modules.
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