Solar PV modules: Shining a light on end-of-life management for large-scale projects

This briefing by GreenCape examines the regulatory landscape and future waste projections for large-scale solar PV modules in South Africa. It highlights the legal obligations of producers under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations and the necessity of landfill alternatives due to a ban on e-waste. The document forecasts a significant increase in decommissioned modules starting in 2033, presenting a long-term opportunity for the development of a circular economy through reuse, refurbishment, and material recovery.

• South African law prohibits the disposal of electrical and electronic waste (e-waste), including solar PV modules, in landfills, necessitating the use of alternative management solutions.
• Under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations, 'PV producers'—defined as manufacturers, importers, and brand owners—are legally responsible for ensuring that solar PV modules are returned and processed by accredited facilities for repurposing or recycling.
• Large-scale solar PV installed capacity in South Africa is projected to grow from approximately 2.36 GW in 2023 to approximately 11.35 GW by 2028, driven by the Integrated Resource Plan and the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).
• A significant wave of module decommissioning is expected to begin in 2033 as the first 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) from the REIPPPP expire. Between 2033 and 2034, the number of modules potentially made available for reuse or refurbishment is expected to jump from 170,000–210,000 to 1.8–2.2 million.
• While short-to-medium term (2024–2042) material recovery opportunities are limited and supplementary to general e-waste activities, the long term (2043–2060) will require large-scale recycling and material recovery solutions.
• South Africa currently lacks the domestic capacity to recycle glass and solar cells into secondary materials for closed-loop production, as there is no local solar PV module manufacturing. Consequently, recovered materials are pre-processed and exported.

APA

GreenCape (n.d.). Solar PV modules: Shining a light on end-of-life management for large-scale projects. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Solar-PV-waste.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Solar PV modules: Shining a light on end-of-life management for large-scale projects. n.d. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Solar-PV-waste.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Solar PV modules: Shining a light on end-of-life management for large-scale projects |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Solar-PV-waste.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencapendsolar, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Solar PV modules: Shining a light on end-of-life management for large-scale projects}}, institution = {GreenCape}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Solar-PV-waste.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }