Report published in Magazine Canal Solar – Vol. 6, No. 6, October/2025
With the collaboration of Antonio Carlos Sil
In Brazil, solar energy is often celebrated as a symbol of the energy transition and a sustainable future. However, a topic that is still little discussed is gaining increasing relevance as the sector matures: What happens to solar panels when they stop working? The answer lies in recycling, or rather, in the lack of a structured chain for it.
In an interview with Canal Solar, Everton Gois, electrical engineer and founding partner of Solar 55, one of the first Brazilian companies specializing in the recycling of photovoltaic modules, commented on the challenges and opportunities of a market that is still in its infancy in terms of solutions, but which is about to face a significant increase in the volume of waste.
An environmental time bomb.
According to Gois, the solar panel recycling It is still in an "embryonic" stage worldwide, and Brazil is no exception. "Today, it is estimated that only about 10% of panels are actually being recycled and diverted from landfills. We estimate that the recycling percentage follows the national average for solid waste, around 4%," he explained.
While countries like the United States and, especially, the European Union have already implemented specific policies and ambitious recycling targets, such as the European directive that foresees up to 80% recycling of discarded panels, in Brazil, disposal still occurs in a disorganized manner.
Data from IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) reveals that by 2030, Brazil is expected to accumulate between 3 and 8 tons of solar waste. Globally, the number could reach up to 80 million tons by 2050.
Gois warns, “It’s important to emphasize that this is still just the first step in disposal. The major tsunami of waste will occur between 2045 and 2055, when most of the modules currently in operation reach the end of their useful life of 25 to 30 years.”
When asked if a structured recycling chain already exists in Brazil, Gois was direct. “We cannot yet speak of a structured chain. We are only in the first steps and the challenges are great, especially in logistics and in raising awareness among companies about the importance of environmentally sound disposal.”
He refers to the absence of specific regulations for the sector, although he points out that photovoltaic modules can be classified as electronic waste within the National Solid Waste Policy, which follows an environmental priority order of repair, preventive maintenance and, when necessary, evaluation for reuse before recycling.
Click here to download the magazine and read the full article.
all the content of Canal Solar is protected by copyright law, and partial or total reproduction of this site in any medium is expressly prohibited. If you are interested in collaborating or reusing part of our material, please contact us by email: redacao@canalsolar.com.br.
An answer
This story about solar panels reaching the end of their lifespan at 25 or 30 years is a big lie!
What happens within that timeframe is the end of the warranty. The reality is that solar panels continue to produce energy for well over 30 years. At 30 years old, they still produce 80% of the energy they produced when new. I myself have panels that have been working continuously for over 30 years, and which have inferior technology compared to those of today. Modern panels with Topcom technology will reach 50 years producing, on average, half of their initial energy. This is why industries are still not concerned with recycling.