Nearly 8 mln t of aluminum is used in solar photovoltaic - what is happening to its circularity at end-of-life?

Source: AL Circle Jan 21, 2026 17:50

End-of-life management of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems is fast emerging as a challenge and a strategic priority for manufacturing industries worldwide. Especially, aluminum circularity is becoming a focal point considering the metal accounts for more than about 85 per cent of PV component materials like frames and mounting structures. Truth to be told, solar waste is a growing concern now with the rapid rise in PV installations globally. In 2024, global installed capacity exceeded 2.2 TW, with nearly 600 GW added in a single year. Going by the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) estimation, around 1.7-8 million tonnes of waste are likely to be generated from PV modules by 2030, and that by 2050, is expected to soar to between 60 and 78 million tonnes, a substantial share of which will consist of aluminium scrap.

Present usage and projection of aluminum usage in solar PVs Aluminum is an integrated material of solar panels in both distributed and utility scale systems. 6-series aluminum primarily serves as a structural material in module frames and racking systems. In 2024, about 8 million tonnes of aluminum was used in

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