Are Solar Panels Recyclable?

Solar panel usage is on the rise across the United States. Manufacturing all of these systems will be excellent for increasing the use of renewable energy, but there are hidden costs that not everyone is aware of. Most solar panels are good for about twenty-five to thirty years. The older a system is, the less effective it will be at making electricity. After replacing a solar panel, what happens to the old photovoltaic cells? Are solar panels recyclable? Honey Bees Roofing & Solar has the answers to your questions!

Can you Recycle a Solar Panel?

Recycling a solar panel is possible, but it’s more difficult than you may think. There are many different types of materials that make up these devices. Silicon-based solar panels, for example, have glass, aluminum, copper, polymer, and silicon inside of them. In addition to the copper wires, there can be small amounts of silver and copper which are challenging to remove from the systems.

Solar panels also have trace amounts of toxic materials like lead and cadmium telluride, the latter of which is also a carcinogen. If these devices aren’t properly disposed of, then they can leach these toxic components into the groundwater, and if they just go to the landfill then all of these components are being wasted. It’s vital to recycle solar panels, but is it cost-effective?

How Cost-Effective is Recycling a Solar Panel?

While it’s critical to try and reuse the expensive and rare components found in a photovoltaic system, unfortunately, there isn’t a large market for it currently. The process of properly recycling a solar panel requires thermal, chemical, and mechanical processes which makes it very costly to complete. In addition, the market demand for many of the components doesn’t justify the expensive process of recycling these devices. Hopefully, as more people utilize solar energy and we innovate around the use of photovoltaic systems, it will be easier and cheaper to recycle them.

Current Solar Panel Recycling Options

There are some states that mandate the recycling of solar energy systems. In California, solar panels are considered hazardous waste. This encourages recycling and reduces the number of solar systems that end up in landfills.  Washington passed a law in 2017 that requires photovoltaic installers to finance the collection and recycling of solar panels. It’s even at no cost to the owners of the solar systems.

There are multiple companies across the country that recycle solar panels, but many of them are just recycled in glass recycling plants. Solar technology still has a ways to go, especially when it comes to recycling, but the future is looking hopeful with the number of renewable energy systems on the rise! There has not been a better time to install solar panels on your home!

Call a Professional

If you’re interested in a no-pressure educational conversation about solar energy or installing solar panels on your building or home, then contact Honey Bees Roofing & Solar online or give us a call today at 817-668-6131! We offer free roofing inspections so we can help you choose the best roofing option for your home as well. In addition, we can work on any roof and help you determine what may need to be repaired. If you need a free roof inspection, don’t hesitate to contact us!