Ghana’s transition to renewable energy may come at a hidden cost if the country fails to address the looming challenge of managing solar photovoltaic (PV) waste.
A new study led by Professor David Ato Quansah of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) warns that the absence of a national solar waste management strategy could expose Ghana to both environmental and economic risks.
Published in the International Journal of Green Energy, the study is the first of its kind to provide a quantitative projection of PV waste accumulation in Ghana. It estimates that between 2043 and 2060, the country will generate approximately 324,000 kilograms of solar PV waste as installed panels reach the end of their 20 to 25 year lifespans.
The researchers caution that Ghana currently lacks a regulatory framework for handling solar waste, making it ill-prepared to deal with the environmental hazards and missed economic opportunities that could arise.
Solar panels contain not only recoverable materials such as aluminum and silver, but also toxic substances including lead and cadmium. Without proper disposal methods, the study warns that these materials could leach into the soil or water systems, posing risks to human health and ecosystems.
At the same time, the research points to a significant economic opportunity, saying, Ghana could reclaim as much as $4 million through the recovery of valuable materials from solar modules, money that could otherwise be lost if waste ends up in landfills or informal dumpsites.
The authors argue that the country must take immediate steps to invest in recycling technologies, establish regulatory guidelines, and develop the technical capacity to manage end-of-life solar equipment.
Professor Quansah said the issue must be seen not just as an environmental challenge but as a strategic development concern.
In the absence of timely policy responses, the growth of Ghana’s solar industry could become a double-edged sword, providing clean energy while quietly building up a future waste crisis.
“Early intervention will help Ghana avoid the complex challenges of managing end-of-life PV modules while tapping into the economic potential they offer,” the study noted.
The researchers urge government and energy sector stakeholders to adopt a circular economy approach, where components are reused, repurposed, or recycled instead of being discarded.
Such a system, they argue, would align Ghana’s energy transition with sustainable development goals and unlock new business opportunities in green technology and waste management.
Joining Professor Quansah on the research team were Dr. Eric Agyeman, Dr. Augustine Ntiamoah, Dr. Lena Mensah, and Prof. Emmanuel Ramde, who collectively called for urgent legislative action and investment in solar waste infrastructure.
The researchers warn that failure to do so could compromise the environmental credibility of the country’s renewable energy ambitions and saddle future governments with costly clean-up responsibilities.
