AkzoNobel, a Dutch multinational company has installed its largest solar energy plant in Europe at its Pilawa site, marking significant step in the company's shift to renewable electricity across all production locations. This new installation is part of a series of major recent investments at the Pilawa site, which also include the automation of the solvent paint filling process and the raw material dosing system.
Image Source: AkzoNobel
Spanning nearly three hectares—equivalent to about four football fields—the plant features 3,551 solar panels with a total capacity of 1.9 MWp. These panels will supply nearly 25 per cent of the electricity required by the decorative paints facility. A recent solar project was also completed in the Czech Republic, where 1,300 panels were installed at AkzoNobel’s Opava powder coatings site. Spanning nearly 2,800 square meters, the installation has a capacity of 574 kWp and will supply approximately 15 per cent of the site’s energy needs.
Beyond Europe, AkzoNobel has been operating on 100 per cent renewable electricity in South America since late 2023 and in North America since early 2023. The company's overarching goal is to achieve 100 per cent renewable electricity across all its operations by 2030.
Aluminium- spearheading innovation
Aluminum extrusions are essential for constructing solar panel frames, providing a lightweight yet durable structure capable of withstanding heavy snow and strong winds. These frames play a crucial role in protecting the solar panel's glass coverings, back sheets, and other vital components.
Aluminium is spearheading innovation in the solar power sector, where its use in solar panels provides numerous benefits, including lightweight design, excellent conductivity, reflectivity, strength, and durability. Leading this advancement is the process of aluminium extrusion, where aluminium alloys are pressed under high pressure to form custom profiles. This technique endows aluminium with key attributes such as corrosion resistance, lightweight strength, and superior conductivity, making it perfect for a range of renewable energy applications.
Type of aluminium used for solar panels
Notably, aluminium alloys 6063, 6061, and 6005 are particularly well-suited for solar energy solutions. The 6000 series aluminium alloys, particularly 6063, are widely used for solar panel frames due to their lightweight nature and excellent corrosion resistance — a crucial feature given the outdoor exposure of panel frames. The 6063 alloy can undergo heat treatment to improve its strength, such as the -T5 temper. For applications where higher strength is prioritized over corrosion resistance, 6061 aluminium is an ideal alternative.
Solar power – third largest source of renewable energy
According to the International Energy Agency (2024), solar power has become the third-largest source of renewable electricity globally, trailing only hydropower and wind. This milestone has been largely driven by solar panel manufacturers. Data from Germany's Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems indicates that China produces 86 per cent of the world's solar panels annually, while Europe and North America each account for approximately 2 per cent. Unsurprisingly, six out of the seven largest solar panel manufacturers are based in China.
An AL Circle report highlights China’s pivotal role as a major global supplier of solar panels, showing a 34 per cent increase in solar panel exports during the first half of 2023. During this period, 114 GW of solar panels were shipped worldwide, with Europe receiving half of these exports. This marks a significant rise compared to the 85 GW shipped in the same period the previous year.
Aluminium’s role in solar power sector
As the world shifts toward sustainable energy solutions, aluminium's importance in improving the capabilities and effectiveness of renewable technologies becomes increasingly evident. On average, manufacturing 1 MW of photovoltaic capacity requires 21 tonnes of aluminium. According to IRENA’s Remap scenario, this growing solar capacity is projected to drive global aluminium demand up by an additional 160 million tonnes by 2050.
To meet the targets set by the EU Solar Strategy, increasing solar PV capacity from the current 136 GW to 320 GW by 2025 and 600 GW by 2030 would necessitate an extra 4 million and 10 million tonnes of aluminium, respectively. The demand for aluminium in the renewable energy sector is anticipated to rise steadily, with the International Aluminium Institute predicting a 6 per cent annual growth through 2050 as the world continues its transition to cleaner energy sources. The ambitious goals laid out in the 14th Five-Year Plan for Renewable Energy, announced in 2022, are expected to further drive capacity expansion in the coming years.
End-of-life solar panels can be recycled as future resources
Researchers at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) have suggested that end-of-life solar panels should not be seen as an impending waste problem but rather as a rich source of valuable materials, including aluminium, silver, copper, high-purity silicon, and glass. These materials can be efficiently repurposed for manufacturing new solar modules. End-of-life PV panels are not waste; they are material reservoirs for new panel production. In five years, recycled silver and aluminium from PV panels could meet 30 per cent of future PV demand, growing to 50 per cent in 15 years, and potentially reaching 100 per cent in 25 years under realistic installation forecasts. Envisioning a future where demand is met through recycling and reuse rather than mining is truly inspiring.
In their publication, "Solar Photovoltaic Waste and Resource Potential Projections in Australia, 2022–2050," the researchers not only forecast the scale of waste generated by solar photovoltaic systems but also evaluate the potential for repurposing waste PV materials as valuable resources in the production of new modules. The study suggests that, across all scenarios and variations over the lifespan of solar panels, decommissioned panels could supply more than 30 per cent of the aluminium and silver needed for photovoltaic (PV) systems within five years.
Solar PV – a key driver of growth
Solar PV is emerging as a key driver of growth in the renewable energy sector, poised to contribute two-thirds of the global increase in renewable power capacity this year, with strong growth anticipated to continue into 2024. The manufacturing capacity for all segments of solar PV is projected to more than double, reaching 1,000 GW annually by 2024, propelled by robust expansion in China and significant new projects in the United States, India, and Europe. These trends suggest that by 2030, the global solar PV manufacturing capacity will be sufficient to meet the annual demand targets outlined in the IEA’s net zero pathway.
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