Navigating the Wave of Retired Wind Turbine Blades and Solar Panels: A Review of Support Policies for Resource Utilization in China

The wave of decommissioning is upon us! As the service life of wind turbine blades and photovoltaic (PV) modules draws to a close and technological advancements accelerate, a significant shift towards the large-scale retirement of these components is imminent. Efficient recycling of decommissioned equipment has become a critical issue within the industry. Let’s take a look at the policies currently in place in China that support this transition.

National Policies

• Guiding Opinions on the Comprehensive Utilization of Bulk Solid Waste during the 14th Five-Year Plan (March 2021, National Development and Reform Commission and ten other departments)
  • Introduced the exploration of high-value utilization pathways for wind turbine blades.
• Circular Economy Development Plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan (July 2021, National Development and Reform Commission)
  • Included retired PV modules and wind turbine blades in urban waste classification and centralized disposal, aiming to guide the development of recycling projects.
  • Called for improvements in the waste material recovery network and promoted the integration of waste classification and recycling systems.
• Action Plan for Carbon Peaking before 2030 (October 2021, State Council)
  • Proposed advancing the recycling of retired wind turbine blades and PV modules as a means to achieve carbon peaking.
• Implementation Plan for Accelerating the Comprehensive Utilization of Industrial Resources (March 2022, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, National Development and Reform Commission, and eight other departments)
  • For the first time, included solid waste from the new energy industry (including retired turbine blades and PV modules) in national planning, emphasizing the development of recycling technologies and industrial applications.
  • Called for the exploration of innovative recycling technologies and the establishment of recovery standards.
• Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Recycling of Retired Wind Power and PV Equipment (August 2023, National Development and Reform Commission, Energy Administration, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, and four other departments)
  • Set goals for 2025 and 2030, establishing responsibility mechanisms, improving standards, and overcoming key technological barriers.
  • Key tasks include: promoting green design for equipment, clarifying responsibilities for decommissioned equipment at centralized wind and solar farms, encouraging third-party recycling services, and enhancing environmental pollution monitoring.
• National Hazardous Waste List (2025 Edition) (November 2024, Ministry of Ecology and Environment)
  • Clarified that retired PV modules are not classified as hazardous waste, simplifying the recycling process.
  • Emphasized pollution control measures during disassembly, transportation, and disposal.
• Notice on Promoting High-Quality Development in New Energy (December 2024, State Council)
  • Focused on advancing recycling technology and developing new industrial chains for retired wind turbine and PV module treatment, aiming for a lifecycle approach to green development.
• Special Management Measures for Central Budget Investment in Energy Conservation and Carbon Reduction (March 2025, National Development and Reform Commission)
  • Provided fixed asset investment subsidies of up to 15% for projects recycling retired wind and PV equipment, with a maximum subsidy of 100 million yuan per project.
  • Covers the recycling of used PV modules, retired turbine blades, and energy storage batteries.

Local Policies

Several provinces have also introduced their own supportive policies:

• Jiangsu Province – Circular Economy Development Plan for the 14th Five-Year Plan (September 2021)
  • Integrated wind turbine blade waste into the comprehensive utilization of bulk solid waste, targeting a resource recycling industry output of 500 billion yuan.
• Shandong Province – New Energy Industry Development Plan (2018-2028) (September 2018)
  • Supported wind and PV module recycling projects to promote collaborative industry development.
• Hebei Province – Guiding Opinions for High-Quality Development of Wind and PV Projects (May 2021)
  • Stressed resource recycling and encouraged leading companies to participate in standard development.
• Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region – Major Demonstration Projects for Low-Carbon Energy Innovation (January 2024)
  • Established a special fund for researching high-value recovery technologies for retired PV modules.
• Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region – New Energy Industry Development Implementation Plan (January 2024)
  • Accelerated the establishment of a waste recycling system to promote resource utilization of retired blades and PV modules.

The national policies on recycling retired turbine blades and PV modules have established a multi-layered system of “national coordination + local pilots + regional collaboration,” covering responsibility mechanisms, technological research, funding support, and standard specifications. To respond to national directives and enhance academic and technological exchanges in the recycling field, the “National Forum on Recycling of Retired Wind Turbine Blades and PV Modules” will be held from May 16 to 18, 2025, in Hefei, Anhui Province. This forum is part of the third Academic and Technical Exchange Conference on Solid Waste Utilization and Low-Carbon Civil Engineering Materials.

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