Solar Panels Face Recycling Challenge

Solar power is booming. Global photovoltaic capacity grew from 1.4 GW in 2000 to 760 GW in 2020, and solar power now generates almost 4% of the world's electricity, according to the International Energy Agency. But experts say this astonishing growth in low-carbon power is also a ticking time bomb. More than 90% of photovoltaic (PV) panels rely on crystalline silicon and have a life span of about 30 years.

Automated summary

Solar power is rapidly expanding and contributing to a significant portion of global electricity generation. However, the reliance on crystalline silicon with a limited lifespan poses a potential issue.