Renewable Energy’s Recycling: Old Solar Panels Get a Makeover
Skipton and Leeds – Artisan Electrics, based in Cambridge, is embarking on a remarkable initiative to upgrade a 45-kilowatt solar farm that’s been in operation for nine years. The project aims to replace the existing panels with newer, more efficient ones, effectively doubling the electricity generation capacity and making their client self-sufficient in energy throughout the year.
Typically, disposing of old solar panels poses an environmental challenge, involving complex logistics and either landfill disposal or solvent-intensive reclamation processes. However, during the course of this project, Artisan Electrics discovered a unique solution through their collaboration with UK-based company Cody Earth Solutions.
Cody Earth Solutions is actively involved in sustainable initiatives in Mauritania, working in partnership with Mauritanian company Ecobat Solar. They are currently installing solar pumps in three locations in Mauritania to replace outdated diesel irrigation engines. These older engines, dating back a decade, have become financially burdensome to maintain, and the rising cost of diesel has been crippling for local farmers.
Through their partnership with Cody Earth Solutions, Artisan Electrics is able to relocate the old solar panels to Thiambene in South Mauritania, where they will support irrigation systems for the next two decades. The impact is substantial: for every 20 days of operation, these solar pumps will save 350 liters of diesel, which is equivalent to one tonne of carbon dioxide. This not only significantly reduces the project’s cost but also curtails local noise and particulate pollution. Furthermore, solar pumps require less maintenance and consume less energy compared to their diesel counterparts.
The Chief of Thiambene Village, Mr. BaBacar Samba, expressed his gratitude to Artisan Electrics for the gift of these panels, recognizing the transformational impact they will have on the community’s livelihood and prosperity.
This initiative is truly a win-win situation. Local farmers gain access to affordable energy, the UK benefits from increased energy production from the same land, and, importantly, no panels end up in landfills, contributing to a more sustainable future. It’s also a significant step towards keeping fossil fuels in the ground.
Cody Earth Solutions is eager to expand its involvement in similar projects, seeking out panels released through solar installation upgrades. Meanwhile, Artisan Electrics is actively looking for similar opportunities to make a positive impact through sustainable energy initiatives.
