Last year, France launched more than 10 million solar panels with a total capacity of about 4 GW, which is 25% more than in 2021. This corresponds to about 233,000 tons, which shows the continued growth of solar module production.
Soren identified 3,848 tons of decommissioned panels to be recovered in 2022, including 3,103 tons in metropolitan France and 745 tons in French overseas territories. This is higher than 2021, but lower than 2029 and 2020. Of these, 3,600 tonnes were collected on site and 248 tonnes were voluntarily donated.
In metropolitan France, the largest amounts were recorded in Occitania, 684 tons and 543 tons in New Aquitaine. Martinique also did well with 575 tonnes.
Of the 5,005 tons of used panels processed in 2022, 4,210 tons were sent for recycling, 609 tons for disposal and 186 tons for energy recovery.
