Toward a circular economy in Ghana’s renewable energy sector: A quantitative assessment of waste from solar photovoltaic modules in Ghana
Eric Agyeman, David A. Quansah, Augustine Ntiamoah, Lena D. Mensah, Emmanuel Wendsongré Ramdé
Abstract
The quantity of solar photovoltaic (PV) waste generated has exponentially increased due to its widespread adoption, given its improving cost-competitiveness, green credentials, and other positive attributes such as modularity and scalability. This situation poses a major and pressing management challenge for end-of-life PV modules. Despite this, many countries, including Ghana, are yet to confront this potential environmental hazard. This paper conducts a quantitative assessment of the solar PV waste burden for Ghana and proposes some measures to address it. This paper estimates a cumulative PV waste stream of 324,000 kg in Ghana from 2043 to 2060 based on the historical PV module installations between 2013 and 2021 and projections from 2022 to 2030. The main waste streams are analyzed. This includes the base and special metals at 16.74%, precious metals at 0.05%, hazardous metals at 0.02%, critical substances at 0.51%, and other metals at 8.87%. Nonmetal waste constitutes 73.81%, which includes glass and polymer e.g. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate). This paper also addresses the current reuse and recycling avenues and opportunities for solar PV end-of-life materials. It goes on to present a conceptual model for the closed-loop material flow of solar PV waste material in Ghana. An assessment of the institutional and regulatory framework for solar PV waste management in the country is presented. This paper proposes a circular economy concept to enhance proper management of solar PV waste and identifies stakeholders that policy makers need to liaise with to forge a coherent policy on PV waste management.