This baseline study examines the end-of-life (EoL) management of photovoltaic (PV) panels in Ghana, conducted under the Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) programme. It begins with an assessment of the global PV market and material composition, outlining available treatment options and highlighting the environmental risks of improper disposal. The study then analyzes Ghana’s current practices, dominated by informal recycling with limited recovery of materials, and identifies key challenges such as the absence of a formal EoL system, lack of regulatory guidance, and economic barriers to recycling low-value components like glass.
Building on fieldwork and stakeholder interviews, the report provides a detailed overview of PV panel usage trends, existing collection and treatment methods, and the handling of related components such as batteries and inverters. It evaluates environmental, social, and economic impacts, showing that current practices pose significant health and environmental risks and generate low financial returns. A dedicated chapter explores the potential for integrating PV panels into Ghana’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system and reviews international models from the EU and Australia.
Comparative insights from South Africa and Egypt help contextualize Ghana’s situation within broader regional trends, showing common struggles with informal handling, regulatory gaps, and limited recycling infrastructure. The study concludes with practical recommendations tailored to Ghana’s context, emphasizing eco-levy expansion, formal take-back systems, training programs, and public-private partnerships to build a more sustainable and circular system for PV panel waste management.
