City engineer pitches for reuse of discarded solar panels

By Kartik Lokhande

If one visits the office of Dr Vivek Bhore, who holds two doctorates in Solar Thermal Energy and Solar PV Energy, one instantly notices that the tabletop in front of his chair is different. A closer look reveals that the tabletop is actually a discarded solar panel. “There are may uses of discarded solar panels. One can use the panels as compartment walls, roof-sheets that can give cooling effect, cantilever, parking shed, or even in low-cost housing projects,” says Dr Bhore, when one asks about reuse of solar panel as tabletop. He stresses that Government should have a policy for 100 per cent reutilisation of solar panels as it would help resolve the disposal issue.

According to the certified energy auditor who is a Chartered Engineer and also holds boiler proficiency certificate, there should be a clause for commercial buildings to use discarded solar panels at least up to 10 per cent of material used. These have to be reused without processing. “Processing requires energy. As far as recovery is concerned, only 10 per cent silver and 30 per cent copper could be recovered. But, even that recovery process generates waste. Reutilisation holds better prospects,” he explains.

As per Dr Bhore’s calculations, the cost of reuse of 3x5 feet solar panel as tabletop is only Rs 600. Whereas, he adds, glass tabletop of the same dimension may cost Rs 2,000. A solar panel discarded after 25 years of use cannot be repaired or refurbished and has to be discarded. The salvation value is only 10 per cent of the original cost -- Rs 6,000. “If one explores reutilisation options and if there is a well thought out policy in this regard, discarded solar panels can help in circular economy,” he adds. In Dr Bhore’s opinion, National Building Code allows maximum 40 per cent to be kept open in Nagpur. For remaining 60 per cent to be covered, solar panels should be used instead of glass because glass leads to heat gain forcing people to put air-conditioners to work more, which leads to higher consumption of energy. This energy consumption could be reduced to some extent if solar panels are used instead of glass, says the energy consultant.