Solar Panel Waste: How Recycling Can Help Us Keep Valuable Materials Out of Landfills
By Sonia Joshi
Solar panel waste is an imminent challenge that must be addressed. An estimated 8 million metric tons of solar panel waste will accumulate by 2030, with the United States projected to become the second-largest contributor by 2050. Texas already has 26,000 megawatts of solar and is projected to add another 40,000 MW by 2030. With the increase of solar power comes the increase of waste, as with any energy source.
However, it’s preventable, as 85% of solar panel materials are recoverable. In fact, by 2030, approximately $450 million worth of reusable raw materials from decommissioned panels will be available—enough to manufacture another 60 million new panels.
What is the status of solar recycling?
Due to a lack of federal policy and no universal solar recycling program, many Americans have struggled with end-of-life care for solar panels. As of 2023, 90% of decommissioned solar panels are in landfills. Recycling a mere 10% of decommissioned panels is embarrassing considering the European Union recycles 85%. In most of the United States, manufacturers are not obligated to take responsibility for end-of-life care and the burden falls to the home or business owner.
Why recycle solar panels?
Instead of allowing panels to take up increasingly scarce landfill space, they can be repurposed for the manufacturing of new panels and other products. This process offers significant benefits, as each recycled panel stops 97 pounds of CO2. By 2050, the recoverable value could exceed $15 billion, and could be used to manufacture 2 billion panels, or 630 gigawatts of solar capacity. Moreover, it lowers the cost of raw materials and creates a circular economy. Recycled materials can also provide a buffer against international supply chain challenges. This supply of materials, including aluminum, can help keep the domestic solar manufacturing industry growing. While solar energy already has a much lower environmental impact than fossil fuel generation, all products have an impact. Glass, plastic, aluminum, silicon and copper are the materials that make up the bulk of solar panels. Manufacturing aluminum also comes with other environmental problems, including air and water pollution. Likewise, plastic production is a major source of air. Recycling these materials uses less energy than manufacturing virgin materials.
Metals found in solar panels, such as lead and cadmium, can be dangerous for humans and the environment if not disposed of correctly. A Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) test must be conducted to determine the panel’s toxicity and identify harmful materials. It is important to ensure that hazardous waste is disposed of with proper protocol to limit contamination and ensure environmental health.
How much does solar panel recycling cost?
Recycling panels tends to be more expensive, ranging from $15 to $45 per panel, than simply throwing them in landfills which is $1 to $5 per panel. While solar panel recycling is usually more than landfilling, it’s only a tiny portion of the cost of a solar energy system. A 6-kilowatt residential solar system would require about 15 400-watt panels. With recycling costs anywhere from $225 to $675, that’s about 1.25% to 3.75% of the total cost, assuming $3/watt installation cost.
Recycling Processes & Techniques:
The ideal recycling process includes three main steps:
- Removing the frame and junction box
- Separating the glass and silicon wafer through chemical, thermal, or mechanical processes
- Separating and purifying silicon cells and specialty metals (silver, tin, copper).
Delamination methods are techniques used to separate the different layers of a solar panel—glass, encapsulant, solar cells, and back sheet—to allow recovery and recycling.
Recently, a newly developed hydrothermal process utilizes high-pressure, high-temperature water to separate the components of a photovoltaic panel while preserving valuable materials. This method avoids the production of hazardous materials, is chemical free, and filters the leftover water to be reused to minimize waste. However, despite its many benefits, widespread implementation remains limited due to the already established facilities, reducing the incentive for transition. Additionally, the initial capital investment for setting up the facility is high, though operational costs decrease over time, as they primarily involve water and heating materials.
Solar recycling is gaining traction but needs support.
Two bills have been filed in the Texas House of Representatives, HB 3228 and HB 3229, to increase recycling of components from utility-scale wind and solar farms. There are also various opportunities to recycle solar panels within Austin. Austin has a city run Recycle and Reuse Drop-off center that recycles the first 100 pounds of solar panels for free, with 0.30 cents per pound after. This service is facilitated by a contract with Universal Recycling Technologies. Two other companies providing solar recycling services in Texas are SolarCycle and We Recycle Solar. SolarCycle charges approximately $18 per panel, with a recovery rate of up to 95% of the panel.
Solar Panel Composition & What can be recycled?
Here’s a general estimate based on the composition of a typical silicon-based solar panel:
| Material | Average % of a Panel | % Typically Recoverable |
| Glass | 75% | 90-95% |
| Aluminum | 10% | 100% |
| Silicon | 5% | 85-90% |
| Copper | 1% | 100% |
| Silver | 0.05% | 95% |
| Polyvinyl Fluoride (PVF) | 1-2% | Limited (~10-20%)
(Typically Dissolves) |
| Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) | 10% | Difficult (~0-20%) (Typically Dissolves) |
Sonia Joshi is a student at the University of Texas at Austin and an Environmental Policy intern with the Texas office of Public Citizen.