Solar energy growth over the last few years has led to some uncomfortable truths that will affect the industry for decades. For example, what will we do with systems when they end their service life? In the same way that plans for recycling solar panels are being undertaken, solar battery recycling and reuse initiatives are also required. Since lithium-ion batteries dominate todays solar plus storage projects, recycling systems for them already exist for lead-acid batteries. However, this will change soon as lithium-ion batteries need their retirement plans. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the solar battery price has dropped much faster than projected between 2010 and 2019. Battery use has increased as prices have declined. The solar boom isn’t just due to tax incentives that lower the solar battery price. Multiple waves of manufacturing innovation in the solar energy sector, pushed mainly by industry-dominant Chinese panel makers, have resulted in a 0.5 percent annual improvement in panel conversion efficiency over the last decade. There are fewer upfront expenditures per kilowatt of electricity for the end user. This article will discuss the reasons why solar batteries need to be recycled.
It is illegal to dispose of batteries in the trash.
Solar battery recycling has been a concern for many companies since introducing an easily recyclable power source, as the number of exhausted household solar batteries is expected to rise in the coming years. When a battery attains the end of its service life, it is considered a hazardous good and must be handled with care. Licensing professionals should remove and decommission batteries.
The Lifespan of Solar Batteries
Batteries powered by solar energy may endure for up to 15 years. However, the battery’s actual life expectancy is variable. The battery’s maker will provide a guarantee that covers both the lifespan and the total number of cycles of the battery’s use.
Improperly Disposed Batteries are a threat to human and animal health
As solar panels age and decay, so do the batteries that power them far more swiftly than the panels themselves. For various reasons, lead acid batteries need to be recycled once they’ve been taken out of use. They are a threat to human and animal health because they contain high concentrations of lead, which may leach into the soil or groundwater, endangering the public’s health and safety. Second, the sulfuric acid produced by these batteries is very corrosive and generates a large amount of highly combustible hydrogen gas.
Lithium-ion batteries have fewer harmful elements than lead acid batteries, making them a better choice for renewable energy systems. The most often used lithium-ion phosphate/LFP battery contains nontoxic material. There is still a need to recycle all lithium batteries rather than toss them away. A growing number of consumer goods, including precious metals like lithium, are in great demand. We must strive to utilize the lithium currently “in service” rather than mine “new” lithium from the soil.
Government Laws
Regulators must determine who is responsible for the solar battery price of cleaning. As the initial wave of early replacement trash builds up over the next several years, governments will need to implement solar panel recycling laws, first at the state level but eventually rising to the federal level.
Conclusion
Recycling solar batteries is best accomplished via the services of a qualified specialist or by returning them to their source. As part of deciding whether to use a battery backup system, you should inquire about the various kinds of batteries and their recycling alternatives.
When you ask for a solar system quotation, your installation firm may be able to provide you with information about battery recycling. The storage battery that an authorized installation recommends should be able to inform you were to be recycled.
