Matt shares his experience visiting a solar panel recycling center and discusses the goals of the company. The hosts talk about upcoming breaks, home automation, and using reliable brands for smart devices. They explore the use of ammonia and solid hydrogen for energy storage. The podcast also delves into advancements in solar panel recycling and the potential for scaling up the business.
Efficiency and goals of a solar panel recycling company in Texas, with a focus on improving the recycling process through a new machine.
The potential for closed-loop systems in solar panel recycling, including partnerships between recycling centers and manufacturers, and the importance of companies taking responsibility for recycling their own panels.
Deep dives
The Efficiency and Usability of Solar Panel Recycling
The podcast episode discusses Matt's trip to a solar panel recycling center in Odessa, Texas, focusing on the efficiency and goals behind the company. The hosts highlight the optimism of the company's founders, Suvi and Robert, about the potential for recycling panels. The current system is efficient and can handle a million panels per year, but they are also working on a new machine that will significantly improve the process. The new machine is expected to scale the business and reduce recycling costs, making recycled materials more cost-effective than mining for new ones. The hosts also discuss the secondary market for solar panels, which will continue to exist as the recycling technology improves and functional panels can still find a second home.
The Scope of Solar Panel Recycling and Closed-Loop Systems
The episode explores the scope of solar panel recycling and the potential for closed-loop systems. The hosts talk about Suvi's view on the European Union's regulations, which require a certain percentage of materials to be recovered from panels. Suvi believes these regulations stifle innovation and advocates for advanced recycling. The hosts discuss the possibility of partnerships between recycling centers and solar panel manufacturers to create closed-loop systems. They also comment on the responsibility of manufacturers to take back and recycle their own panels. The reduced costs of recycling will drive the commercial industry towards closed-loop systems, as it will be more economical than mining new materials. The hosts emphasize the importance of companies demonstrating ethics and responsibility by offering recycling options.
Future Developments and Challenges in Solar Panel Recycling
The episode concludes with a discussion on future developments and challenges in solar panel recycling. The hosts mention the potential for further advancements in recycling technology, such as a machine being developed by the recycling center that can handle shattered glass panels more effectively. They highlight the excitement and enthusiasm of the company's founders about the scalability and efficiency improvements that this new machine will bring. The hosts also address concerns about the secondary market for panels and the presence of hoarded or discarded panels. While there may not be specific locations hoarding panels, the hosts speculate that as recycling technology advances, old panels may be reclaimed from waste dumps. Lastly, they mention the possibility of using similar technology for recycling other types of waste in the future.
On today’s episode of Still To Be Determined we’re talking about Matt’s trip to Texas, his experience on tour at a solar panel recycling center, and his thoughts on the goals behind the company.
Watch the Undecided with Matt Ferrell episode, What REALLY happens to used Solar Panels? https://youtu.be/FCtEWveySsA?list=PLnTSM-ORSgi7LzoQm7EipJGOLkasC51Ii
