Asset Managers
Refurbishment and reuse offer asset managers a smart way to cut costs, recover value, and meet sustainability goals. Tap into the growing demand for second-life solar equipment.
Recyclers
Recycling offers manufacturers and recyclers a chance to recover valuable materials, reduce landfill use, and support a circular solar economy.
Homeowners
Recycling your old solar panels helps keep valuable materials out of landfills and supports a cleaner, more sustainable future. Many recycling options are easy and affordable.
Homeowners
Recycling your old solar panels helps keep valuable materials out of landfills and supports a cleaner, more sustainable future. Many recycling options are easy and affordable.
Policy Makers
Explore resources on proposed legislation, waste management regulations, photovoltaic system removal requirements, and guidance on responsible solar energy system decommissioning.
Asset Managers
Refurbishment and reuse offer asset managers a smart way to cut costs, recover value, and meet sustainability goals. Tap into the growing demand for second-life solar equipment.
Recyclers
Recycling offers manufacturers and recyclers a chance to recover valuable materials, reduce landfill use, and support a circular solar economy.
Homeowners
Recycling your old solar panels helps keep valuable materials out of landfills and supports a cleaner, more sustainable future. Many recycling options are easy and affordable.
Policy Makers
Explore resources on proposed legislation, waste management regulations, photovoltaic system removal requirements, and guidance on responsible solar energy system decommissioning.
Find a Recycler Near You
View the national map of SEIA’s PV Recycling Partners where you can filter results for collection sites that accept equipment drop off and processing sites that perform recycling services on solar panels and other equipment.
Find a Recycler Near You
View the national map of SEIA’s PV Recycling Partners where you can filter results for collection sites that accept equipment drop off and processing sites that perform recycling services on solar panels and other equipment.
%
less energy
is used when recycling aluminum from solar panel frames than from producing new aluminum
Projected value
of the global solar panel recycling market by 2028
%
less energy
is used when recycling aluminum from solar panel frames than from producing new aluminum
Common Questions About Solar Panel Recycling
Your hub for all things PV sustainability and recycling
SEIA’s experts provide answers to key questions about solar recycling, offering a helpful reference for homeowners, analysts, business leaders, journalists, and others. This resource keeps the public informed about available recycling options, reusable materials, and the broader benefits of solar recycling.
Homeowner FAQ
How do I find out the laws regarding solar panels in my state?
You can find an overview of state policy regarding solar panels on our State-Level Impact page.
Where can I find potential recyclers?
You can find You can find a vetted list of SEIA’s PV Recyling Partners to reach out to on our Recyclers & Recycling Equipment Manufacturers page.
It may also be worth checking if there is a municipal waste agreement in your area for local collection and recycling.
How do I find out if I’m responsible for recycling rooftop solar panels? If I am responsible, how do I arrange for them to be recycled?
If you are leasing your system or have power purchase agreement, your contract will explain who is responsible for removing the system. Often that is the company who manages the lease or power purchase agreement. You can find more information, including the Consumer Guide to Home Solar, on SEIA’s Resources for Solar Customers page.
Other FAQ
What end markets exist for recovered materials?
Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Database: Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Database
Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory: Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory | RecycleSearch
South Carolina Recycling Directory: Recycling Directory – Recycling in SC
Minnesota Recycling Markets Directory (companies that purchase recyclable materials): Recycling Markets
Minnesota Recycling Products Directory (companies that manufacture products made from recycled materials): Recycling Products
What does the recycling process look like?
Several methods for separating solar components exist, and no one technique has emerged as the dominant process to isolate components from each other.
All processes begin by removing aluminum frames and junction boxes and wires. Once these components are separated, the laminate remains. Techniques used for separating the laminate include:
Thermal Processing – The laminate is heated and removed intact from the glass panel for further processing.
Mechanical Separation – Components are separated using one of the following machine-based processes:
- The cells and backsheet are removed using a thin blade that slices the cells and backsheet from the glass.
- The laminate is cut into small squares (roughly 2″ by 2″) that are crushed and sorted using optical sorting techniques.
Chemical Separation – Components in the laminate are separated using proprietary processes involving chemicals.
What can recovered materials from a solar panel be used for?
|
Aluminum
|
Glass
|
|
Encapsulant
|
Silicon
Copper and Other Precious Metals
|
Common Questions About Solar Panel Recycling
Your hub for all things PV sustainability and recycling
SEIA’s experts provide answers to key questions about solar recycling, offering a helpful reference for homeowners, analysts, business leaders, journalists, and others. This resource keeps the public informed about available recycling options, reusable materials, and the broader benefits of solar recycling.
Homeowner FAQ
How do I find out the laws regarding solar panels in my state?
You can find an overview of state policy regarding solar panels on our State-Level Impact page.
Where do I find vetted recyclers?
You can find You can find a vetted list of SEIA’s PV Recyling Partners to reach out to on our Recyclers & Recycling Equipment Manufacturers page.
It may also be worth checking if there is a municipal waste agreement in your area for local collection and recycling.
How do I find out if I’m responsible for recycling rooftop solar panels? If I am responsible, how do I arrange for them to be recycled?
If you are leasing solar, contact whoever owns or manages the power purchase agreement for the system because they will be responsible for it. You can find more information, including the Consumer Guide to Home Solar, on SEIA’s Resources for Solar Customers page.
If you own the solar panels on your roof and have an O&M agreement, verify whether or not removal and recycling is covered in your service agreement. If it is not covered, then you are responsible for recycling them. You can find a vetted list of SEIA’s PV Recycling Partners to reach out to on our Recyclers & Recycling Equipment Manufacturers page.
What do I do if I need to repair/remove solar panels from my roof?
You should always contact your licensed installer or operations and maintenance (O&M) provider to inquire about removing or performing maintenance on rooftop solar panels. There may be warrantee considerations involved in removing or replacing panels.
Other FAQ
What end markets exist for recovered materials?
Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory: Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory | RecycleSearch
South Carolina Recycling Directory: Recycling Directory – Recycling in SC
Minnesota Recycling Markets Directory (companies that purchase recyclable materials): Recycling Markets
Minnesota Recycling Products Directory (companies that manufacture products made from recycled materials): Recycling Products
What can recovered materials from a solar panel be used for?
|
Aluminum
|
Glass
|
|
Encapsulant
|
Silicon
Copper and Other Precious Metals
|
What does the recycling process look like?
Several methods for separating solar components exist, and no one technique has emerged as the dominant process to isolate components from each other.
All processes begin by removing aluminum frames and junction boxes and wires. Once these components are separated, the laminate remains. Techniques used for separating the laminate include:
Thermal Processing – The laminate is heated and removed intact from the glass panel for further processing.
Mechanical Separation – Components are separated using one of the following machine-based processes:
- The cells and backsheet are removed using a thin blade that slices the cells and backsheet from the glass.
- The laminate is cut into small squares (roughly 2″ by 2″) that are crushed and sorted using optical sorting techniques.
Chemical Separation – Components in the laminate are separated using proprietary processes involving chemicals.
Homeowner FAQ
How do I find out the laws regarding solar panels in my state?
You can find an overview of state policy regarding solar panels on our State-Level Impact page.
Where do I find vetted recyclers?
You can find You can find a vetted list of SEIA’s PV Recyling Partners to reach out to on our Recyclers & Recycling Equipment Manufacturers page.
It may also be worth checking if there is a municipal waste agreement in your area for local collection and recycling.
How do I find out if I’m responsible for recycling rooftop solar panels? If I am responsible, how do I arrange for them to be recycled?
If you are leasing solar, contact whoever owns or manages the power purchase agreement for the system because they will be responsible for it. You can find more information, including the Consumer Guide to Home Solar, on SEIA’s Resources for Solar Customers page.
If you own the solar panels on your roof and have an O&M agreement, verify whether or not removal and recycling is covered in your service agreement. If it is not covered, then you are responsible for recycling them. You can find a vetted list of SEIA’s PV Recycling Partners to reach out to on our Recyclers & Recycling Equipment Manufacturers page.
What do I do if I need to repair/remove solar panels from my roof?
You should always contact your licensed installer or operations and maintenance (O&M) provider to inquire about removing or performing maintenance on rooftop solar panels. There may be warrantee considerations involved in removing or replacing panels.
Other FAQ
What end markets exist for recovered materials?
Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory: Michigan Recycled Materials Market Directory | RecycleSearch
South Carolina Recycling Directory: Recycling Directory – Recycling in SC
Minnesota Recycling Markets Directory (companies that purchase recyclable materials): Recycling Markets
Minnesota Recycling Products Directory (companies that manufacture products made from recycled materials): Recycling Products
What can recovered materials from a solar panel be used for?
|
Aluminum
|
Glass
|
|
Encapsulant
|
Silicon
Copper and Other Precious Metals
|
What does the recycling process look like?
Several methods for separating solar components exist, and no one technique has emerged as the dominant process to isolate components from each other.
All processes begin by removing aluminum frames and junction boxes and wires. Once these components are separated, the laminate remains. Techniques used for separating the laminate include:
Thermal Processing – The laminate is heated and removed intact from the glass panel for further processing.
Mechanical Separation – Components are separated using one of the following machine-based processes:
- The cells and backsheet are removed using a thin blade that slices the cells and backsheet from the glass.
- The laminate is cut into small squares (roughly 2″ by 2″) that are crushed and sorted using optical sorting techniques.
Chemical Separation – Components in the laminate are separated using proprietary processes involving chemicals.