Ghana could recover as much as $4 million from solar photovoltaic (PV) waste if proactive recycling and materials recovery strategies are adopted, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Green Energy.
The research, led by Professor David Ato Quansah of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi is the first of its kind to provide a quantitative assessment of PV waste in Ghana. It forecasts that the country will generate approximately 324,000 kilograms of PV waste between 2043 and 2060.
The study warns that the bulk of the anticipated waste will consist of non-metal components such as glass and polymers, along with hazardous and critical substances, posing environmental and health risks if not properly managed.
“Early intervention will help Ghana avoid the complex challenges of managing end-of-life PV modules while tapping into the economic potential they offer,” the authors said.
The researchers advocate for a circular economy approach to solar waste management and call on policymakers to implement clear regulations, invest in recycling infrastructure, and support capacity building in the sector.
Without such measures, Ghana risks losing both the environmental integrity of its renewable energy sector and the economic value embedded in retired solar modules.
Other researchers in this study include: Dr. Eric Agyeman, Dr. Augustine Ntiamoah, Dr. Lena Mensah, and Prof. Emmanuel Ramde.
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