Driving Aluminium Circularity in the Solar Photovoltaic Sector
The project, funded by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) and other partners, and undertaken by Rennie Advisory, explored end-of-life management options for photovoltaic (PV) systems, with a particular focus on aluminium circularity.
The report sets out practical recommendations to maximise:
- aluminium recycling from PV systems at end-of-life, and
- the use of recycled aluminium content in new PV projects.
Aluminium is a critical material in both distributed and utility-scale PV systems. In 2024, an estimated 8 million tonnes of aluminium were used in PV manufacturing, accounting for around 10 per cent of global aluminium production.
Global cumulative end-of-life PV material is projected to reach 1.7 million tonnes by the early 2030s, accelerating rapidly to 60–78 million tonnes by the 2050s. Managing this growing material flow presents both a challenge and a significant circular economy opportunity.
The report highlights how decisions made upstream, during manufacturing, project development and installation, can strongly influence downstream circular outcomes for aluminium. For example, the choice of frame connections is critical: mechanical fasteners enable efficient end-of-life recovery, while adhesives and composite materials often prevent economic separation for recyclers.
