Solar panel recycling has become a hot topic as solar power adoption grows. With panels lasting 25 – 30 years, many are nearing end-of-life. This has created challenges for sustainable waste management.
Recovering valuable materials like silicon, glass, and metals is crucial, as it reduces raw material extraction and environmental impact. Efficient recycling technologies therefore are pivotal for maintaining the solar industry’s growth and protecting our planet’s resources.
Here are five international companies spearheading the solar recycling movement.
First Solar
HQ: United States
First Solar is one of the largest manufacturers of solar panels globally, particularly known for its thin-film photovoltaic technology. The company has a strong commitment to sustainability and has integrated high-value recycling into its manufacturing process from the outset – ensuring maximum recovery of materials.
First Solar operates recycling facilities that can recover up to 90% of the materials from decommissioned panels, including cadmium telluride (used in their thin-film modules) and glass.
The recovered materials are reused in the production of new panels, reducing the overall environmental impact of solar energy production. First Solar’s closed-loop recycling process is a significant aspect of its environmental stewardship programme.
SolRecycle
HQ: United Kingdom
SolRecycle is a specialised company focused on the recycling of end-of-life solar panels. The company provides comprehensive recycling services, including the collection, dismantling, and processing of solar panels to recover valuable materials like silicon, glass, aluminium, and other metals.
SolRecycle utilises advanced recycling technologies that allow for high recovery rates, ensuring that 95% of the materials from decommissioned solar panels can be reused producing new solar products or other industrial applications.
By offering sustainable solutions for solar panel disposal, SolRecycle contributes to reducing the environmental impact of the solar industry and supports the development of a circular economy.
PV Recycling
HQ: UK
PV Recycling is a UK-based provider of solar recycling solutions catering to installers, manufacturers, construction businesses, and electrical companies.
The provider believes in “the principles of a circular economy”, and to that end seeks to minimise produced waste through reusing materials. Services include panel, battery, and inverter recycling – thereby encompassing the infrastructure of solar sites.
In August, Xtra reported on the company’s new specialised recycling line, which prioritises human labour over machinery to reduce their reliance on C02-intensive equipment. Futhermore, the new method creates more job opportunities alongside lowering the company’s carbon footprint.
PV CYCLE
HQ: EU
PV CYCLE is a non-profit organisation founded to ensure sustainable waste management for photovoltaic (PV) modules.
The organisation provides comprehensive take-back and recycling services across Europe, offering solutions compliant with the European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. PV CYCLE collaborates with various recycling partners to collect and process solar panels, ensuring that the materials are reused in new products.
They operate a network of collection points and facilities that allow them to manage the end-of-life stage of PV modules effectively. PV CYCLE’s efforts have made a significant contribution to the development of sustainable solar energy practices across Europe.
Reclaim PV Recycling
HQ: Australia
Reclaim PV Recycling is an Australian company dedicated to the responsible disposal and recycling of end-of-life solar panels. The company operates across Australia, offering collection and recycling services that focus on recovering valuable materials such as silicon, glass, aluminium, and other metals.
Reclaim PV Recycling aims to minimise the environmental impact of solar technology by diverting panels from landfills and recovering materials for reuse in new solar panels and other products.
The company works closely with local governments, manufacturers, and the solar industry to promote sustainable practices and increase awareness of the importance of solar panel recycling.
Discover more about the companies making a difference at a Solar & Storage Live event near you.
