FAQ

To assess the environmental impact of batteries, it is necessary to take into account the rare and partly at-risk resources (lead, lithium, etc.) consumed, their origins and the mix of electricity used in the production of the batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries are made of cobalt, nickel, copper, aluminium and lithium, as well as other materials. Among these materials, the availability of lithium in particular is a hot topic. Over the short term, reserves are sufficient to guarantee the manufacture of the batteries; nevertheless, it will be necessary to improve the recycling capacity of lithium to ensure supply over the medium term.

Analysis of the environmental impact of these batteries is currently a major topic of research. Although there have already been positive developments in terms of cost effectiveness, performance and the environmental impact of batteries, they are still under intense development and significant progress is expected in the near future.

Thin-film panels (i.e. cells made of copper, indium, gallium and selenium, known as CIGS, and CdTe) are becoming increasingly common. This technology allows for greater energy savings and reductions in environmental impact than the current types, as the production method is simpler and the need for raw materials is lower. These cells are already showing yields higher than 20%. In addition, owing to their slimness, these modules offer more flexibility in terms of installation, allowing for curved shapes or easier integration into a façade or roof.

Beyond current technologies, the development of what are known as multi-junction cells promises even higher levels of efficiency through the stacking of single-junction cells. These cells are composed of two or more different active layers that enable different parts of the solar spectrum to be captured.

Thin-film modules are already available on the market; however, these technologies are still being developed. Commercial maturity can be expected in the next few years. These multi-junction cells are currently still under development but should be available on the market shortly.

Yes, in general it is possible to repair them, with the exception of broken glass.

Currently, most panels destined for recycling are faulty panels or panels that have been damaged during transport. Where possible, therefore, repair is the best method of giving panels a second life, thereby extending the life cycle of panels that would otherwise be recycled.

According to the law of 9 June 2022 on waste electrical and electronic equipment, the producer is responsible for the collection and processing of photovoltaic panels.

Producer means any natural person or legal entity who manufactures photovoltaic panels in Luxembourg or initially imports them onto the Luxembourg market. Any person established in another Member State or in a third country who, on a professional basis, supplies photovoltaic panels directly to a user in Luxembourg is considered a producer. In practice, in the majority of cases, this is the installer of the photovoltaic plant in Luxembourg.

Possibilities for owners to dispose of their old photovoltaic panels 

For photovoltaic panels put on the market before 13/08/2005 :

• in case of replacement of the photovoltaic panels, the take back of the old panel is free of charge and must be ensured by the company supplying the new equipment
• in case of dismantling of the photovoltaic panel (non-replacement of the panel), the removal by a professional collector is done against payment by the user

For photovoltaic panels placed on the market after 13/08/2005 :

• free take-back by the producer who bears the costs of collection and recovery of the photovoltaic panels. 

In general, all photovoltaic panels are recyclable.

Indeed, there are risk-free procedures for silicon-based panels as well as for thin-film panels containing cadmium. Moreover, recycling is regulated by the European Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment, which is transposed into national law by the law of 9 June 2022 on waste electrical and electronic equipment: this framework currently requires at least 80% of the mass of a photovoltaic panel to be prepared for reuse or recycled, and 85% of the mass to be recovered.

The recycling rate of photovoltaic modules is nevertheless close to 100%, considering that the modules are generally composed mainly of glass, aluminium and other metals. Net modules usually contain very limited amounts of synthetic materials, such as silicon or other minerals. However, it is technically possible to recycle these elements, even if the processes for extracting them are not yet cost-effective. Thus, these materials are currently mainly used for thermal recovery.

To date, there are no limitations regarding the availability of materials for the production of photovoltaic panels, or there are alternatives for the use of the most critical materials.

Silicon is the main material for cells of the same name and does not pose any problems in terms of availability. Other materials, such as silver, can be substituted with other materials without directly degrading cell performance.

For thin-film cells, indium, tellurium, gallium, selenium and cadmium are considered critical resources. The exact impact of market developments on the availability of these minerals is still a subject of research.

With regard to cells made of silicon, which are by far the most widely used on the Luxembourg market, current production techniques do not require the use of any substances that are harmful to the environment.

Thin-film cells use elements such as cadmium or tellurium. The quantities used for the production of related modules are, however, minimal, especially for cells composed of cadmium telluride, known as CdTe. CdTe has low toxicity and the environmental consequences are considered negligible compared to the impact that could be caused by other means of electricity generation.

The environmental impact is taken into account over the entire life cycle. Thus, environmental effects (such as the impact on climate change, the extraction of minerals, toxicity for human beings, etc.) are taken into consideration during the production and operation of the photovoltaic installation, including the savings made due to the energy produced during its life cycle.

Even if we consider that the production of certain photovoltaic panels requires scarce resources and hazardous materials, the environmental impact throughout their life cycle is less than that caused by the national or European electricity mix. This overall impact can be further reduced by recycling end-of-life panels or by refurbishing used panels for reuse in a second life.

The amortisation period defines the time it takes for a photovoltaic system to produce the same amount of energy as that required for its manufacture. This is achieved by dividing the energy consumed in the production of the module by the annual energy output of the module.

In general, the amortisation period for the types of panels currently available on the market is less than two years in Central Europe. Thus, cells made of silicon, by far the most widely used on the Luxembourg market, have an amortisation period of less than two years; for thin-film cells, which are currently emerging on the market, this goes down to less than one year.