The School of Natural Resources Engineering and Management (SNREM) at the German Jordanian University (GJU), in collaboration with the Deanship of Innovation, Technology Transfer, and Entrepreneurship (DI-TECH), organized a specialized workshop entitled
"Rising Responsibility: The Future of Used Solar Panels"
under the supervision of Dr. Yaqoub Al-Khasawneh from the Department of Energy Engineering.
The workshop aimed to shed light on the technical and environmental challenges associated with managing solar panels at the end of their operational life, and to discuss strategies for refurbishing and reusing them within a framework that promotes the concept of a circular economy in the renewable energy sector.
The event witnessed notable participation from representatives of various ministries and national institutions, alongside members of the private sector and companies active in the energy and environmental fields. Additionally, faculty members and interested students from diverse academic disciplines attended the event.
Discussions during the workshop resulted in several important outcomes, notably emphasizing the need to develop a comprehensive national framework for managing solar panels after their end of service life, alongside calls to strengthen public-private partnerships in the areas of reuse and recycling. The workshop also highlighted the importance of capacity building and raising awareness among engineers and students, particularly regarding the sustainable management of electronic waste in the energy sector.
Dr. Nidal Al-Shwawreh, Dean of (DI-TECH), stated that the workshop reflects the university’s commitment to sustainable innovation and empowering youth and engineers to tackle environmental challenges.
The university affirmed that organizing this workshop is part of its continuous efforts to strengthen its role in supporting environmental and developmental issues through scientific research, knowledge transfer, and active engagement with the community and the industrial sector.