Can Fonroche streetlights be recycled?

Unlike lead acid and lithium batteries, NiMH batteries don’t contain any heavy or toxic metals. They’re 98% recyclable: the nickel is extracted and used to make various materials, mostly stainless steel. The solar panels have an extremely long service lifespan. Even after 25 years, they’ll still be producing at least 80% of their initial peak power. So they can continue to be used. Alternatively, about 96% of their component materials can be recycled to make new panels.

Fonroche is a fully signed-up member of Récylum in France, which recycles electronic components, LED light units and batteries. The PV modules are recovered by the PV Cycle scheme at the end of their lives, so they can also be recycled.

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