Australian solar upcycling business ElecSome has signed a long-term Services Framework Agreement with Enel Green Power Australia (EGPA) for photovoltaic (PV) panel upcycling.
Enel Green Power Australia CEO Werther Esposito said, “We’re pleased to proactively collaborate with Elecsome in planning for any future instances where PV panel upcycling may be required across our portfolio of solar assets.
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“We’re committed to circular economy principles across our portfolio and recognize Elecsome’s innovative approach and capability as one of Australia’s first solar panel ‘upcycling’ plants.”
ElecSome founder and CEO Neeraj Das said, “We are thrilled to have signed this Framework Agreement for PV panel upcycling with Enel Green Power Australia, which is one of the first companies in Australia to take the initiative of signing a long-term agreement to responsibly recycle end-of-life PV panels. We appreciate their environmentally friendly approach towards net zero and circular economy initiatives.”
Enel Green Power Australia has been proactive in sustainability efforts, particularly in the area of recycling solar PV panels. The company promotes a circular economy approach to PV panel lifecycle management which involves consideration of the design of PV panels for durability, to enable efficient upcycling at the end of life, transforming them to valuable materials.
The #collaboration between Enel Green Power Australia and ElecSome aims to promote the importance of recycling PV panels and boost sustainable energy practices more broadly.
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ElecSome is working with government bodies, councils and other institutions for a reasonable gate fee per solar panel, providing some incentives to encourage companies for upcycling and fostering a circular economy approach.
Approximately 1.4 million solar panels will reach their end-of-life in 2025 across Australia. The estimated waste generated due to non-usable PV panels is projected to be 145,000 tonnes a year by 2030 in Australia.
