Germany’s 600,000 Tons of PV Waste Present Aluminum Recycling Opportunities

According to reports on October 3, Germany is projected to generate over 600,000 tons of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste by 2030, creating significant opportunities for the recycling of aluminum and silver. A new study by Fraunhofer CSP indicates that PV modules installed in Germany contain approximately 660,000 tons of aluminum and 3,900 tons of silver, with a combined value of around €4.8 billion at current prices. The study also highlights that only two facilities in Germany currently process crystalline silicon modules on an industrial scale, noting that the efficient recovery of aluminum and silver remains a key challenge.