Addressing the Future of Photovoltaic Panel Waste: Legal and Technical Insights by Anna Ntionia

Anna Ntionia, Energy Partner at Dryllerakis Law Firm, delivered a presentation on the alternative management of photovoltaic panel waste.

Since the widespread adoption of photovoltaic plants began in the 2000s and given that solar panels have a lifespan of 20-25 years, managing substantial quantities of waste in an environmentally and economically sustainable way will soon become a pressing challenge. Even now, waste management is highly relevant as RES producers often replace panels prematurely due to wear, damage, or within the scope of repowering projects.

The presentation explored key concepts in waste management and outlined the main legal and technical stages for handling photovoltaic panel waste, including the critical issue of financing waste management.

The objective of the presentation was to highlight that proper waste management, in the long term, could create opportunities to open a new market, while improper management would result in the accumulation of large quantities of panels both nationally and globally.