The Issue of Recycling Solar Panels

By Nidhi Mahajan

The rise of solar energy has been extraordinary, with global-installed solar capacity surpassing 1,000 gigawatts (GW) in 2024 — a clear testament to the accelerating shift towards renewables. However, this rapid expansion brings a looming challenge: what happens when solar panels reach the end of their lifespan? In the UK alone, where tens of millions of panels are currently in operation, the infrastructure to properly decommission and recycle them remains underdeveloped, creating pressing issues over their sustainability.

Solar panels are built to last for decades, but after about 25–30 years, they typically become less efficient, leading to their replacement. Although older panels can still generate electricity, upgrading to newer, more efficient models is often more financially appealing. The result? A growing “waste mountain”. By 2050, it is estimated that 60 to 78 million metric tonnes of solar panel waste will exist globally. To make it worse, despite the increasing need for solar panels, their actual recycling rate globally remains relatively low. As of 2024, it is estimated that only 10% of end-of-life solar panels are recycled. The rest are either disposed of in landfills or left in storage until more economical recycling methods become available.

So what makes solar panels so difficult to recycle?

Most commercial solar panels are constructed like a sandwich, with cells at the centre. Around 90% of panels use silicon as the semiconductor, converting sunlight into electricity. Thin strips of metal (usually silver) criss-cross the surface of silicon crystals in each cell and move electricity into the panel’s copper wiring. Various plastic polymers are used for encapsulation to protect the solar cells from environmental damage. The entire structure is surrounded by an aluminium frame, while glass provides additional protection and durability.

Glass and metals, which make up around 80% of a panel’s weight, are relatively straightforward to recycle. However, the challenge lies in efficiently separating and processing these components. Firstly, strong adhesives and mixed materials in the panel’s construction make dismantling and recycling individual parts difficult. Moreover, while removing the aluminium frame and electrical junction box is relatively easy, separating the glass cover from the underlying solar cells is much harder. To avoid this, recyclers often shred this section and sell the resulting contaminated glass as low-value granules, or cullet.

Another significant obstacle is the economics of solar panel recycling: recycling a single panel in the US can cost $20–$30, compared to just $1–$2 for landfill disposal. The long lifespan of panels also means waste volumes accumulate slowly, delaying returns on investments in recycling infrastructure. These economic challenges are compounded by the energy-intensive nature of recycling processes and insufficient market confidence in recycled materials, further deterring investment into end-of-life panel recycling.

Inconsistencies in regulations further exacerbate the difficulties of recycling solar panels. In many regions, solar panel waste is still categorised as general waste, with no specific guidelines for their handling and recycling. The European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive is an exception, treating panels as e-waste, but similar frameworks are lacking in other parts of the world. Variability in the classification of panels as hazardous waste—due to toxic materials such as cadmium and lead—creates further complications by imposing stricter and costlier requirements for transportation and disposal. The absence of uniform international regulations and a lack of enforceable policies to mandate the development of recycling infrastructure hinders progress. Therefore, countries are left ill-equipped to effectively manage the growing volume of end-of-life panels.

Recycling solar panels is crucial for mitigating environmental harm and fostering a sustainable circular economy. They contain valuable materials which can be reused to reduce reliance on mining and manufacturing, thus lowering the environmental footprint of producing new panels. Furthermore, recycling prevents toxic substances in the panels from entering landfills, safeguarding ecosystems and public health. 

Looking forward, advancements in recycling technologies and economies of scale hold promise for making the process more cost-effective and efficient. By 2030, the value of recovered materials is projected to exceed $2.7 billion, offering compelling economic incentives alongside environmental benefits. Developing robust recycling infrastructure could transform solar waste management into a phenomenal opportunity: transforming end-of-life panels from an environmental liability into a resource for innovation, job creation, and a future of truly renewable energy.

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