Ghana stands to recover approximately $4 million from solar photovoltaic (PV) waste through the implementation of recycling and materials recovery strategies, according to a new study by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).
The study, published in the International Journal of Green Energy, projects that Ghana will generate about 324,000 kilograms of PV waste between 2043 and 2060, as the first generation of solar modules reach the end of their life cycle.
Led by Professor David Ato Quansah, the research marks the first quantitative assessment of PV waste in Ghana. The team found that the majority of this waste will consist of non-metallic components such as glass and polymers, alongside hazardous substances, which could pose significant environmental and health risks if not properly managed.
“Early intervention will help Ghana avoid the complex challenges of managing end-of-life PV modules while tapping into the economic potential they offer,” the researchers noted.
The study highlights the urgent need for national strategies to manage solar waste and recommends that Ghana act now to put in place the infrastructure and policies needed for recycling retired solar panels.
Without such measures, the country risks undermining the environmental gains of its renewable energy initiatives while missing out on the economic opportunities associated with the recycling industry.
The researchers also stress that by planning ahead, Ghana can turn solar waste into a valuable resource, contribute to green job creation, and promote a circular economy within the energy sector.