Storm damage drives huge rise in solar panel recycling in Portugal

Electrão, Portugal's electrical waste recycling body, collected 3,356 tonnes of photovoltaic panels for recycling in the first half of 2026, up from just 213 tonnes in the same period last year, following storms that hit central Portugal and damaged many solar installations. Overall, Electrão collected over 24,000 tonnes of used electrical equipment in the period, a 19% rise year-on-year, with 79% gathered through its own collection network, which grew 12%. The organisation says expanding collection points and easier access for citizens are boosting results, while warning that the informal market for used equipment remains a challenge.