Sembcorp ties up with Singapore Polytechnic to recycle solar panels

The two will also train manpower to support solar energy development.

Utilities and urban development firm Sembcorp Industries will collaborate with Singapore Polytechnic (SP) in research and development (R&D) and training to amp up the country’s efforts in reducing solar panel waste and strengthen Singapore’s solar energy talent pool.

The parties are aiming to commercialise what is said to be Singapore’s first-ever technology for photovoltaic recycling. “This innovative process developed locally by SP researchers recovers resources from used solar panels such as glass, silicon and metals including silver and aluminium,” the parties explained in a joint statement.

They will then work together to translate these solutions from laboratory to market, and accelerate plans to develop a pilot recycling plant for solar panels. The pilot plant can then serve as a potential prototype for larger-scale recycling of used solar panels in Singapore once the technology becomes commercially available.

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According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, the world will have 60 million tonnes of cumulative photovoltaic panel waste by 2050 amidst solar energy’s growth as a source of clean and renewable energy.

“We believe this focus on responsible resource management is especially timely, given that 2019 has been declared Singapore’s year towards zero waste,” Sembcorp’s head of energy business in Singapore Koh Chiap Khiong said in a statement. “At the same time we also see a strong need to build up a pool of skilled talent in Singapore, to support future solar projects competently.”

Asides from recycling used solar panels, Sembcorp and SP will reportedly work together in training and educating skilled manpower to support the growth of solar energy in the Lion City. Specifically, the parties will jointly develop course curriculum at the polytechnic, as well as internships and education programmers for managers, engineers and technicians working on solar projects.