Today, the solar panel market is worth around $19.9 billion annually and is continuously growing.
For a start-up, a solar panel is a great investment as it can have a low-cost and effective way to generate electricity and produce a steady & green income.
But what happens when a business or individual stops producing energy from their solar panel?
It’s important to recycle solar panels to help reduce the amount of harmful waste that is produced and reused in the production of new solar panels.
In this blog post, we will see what solar panel recycling is & how you can recycle your old solar modules.
What is solar panel recycling?
Solar panels are a renewable energy source and can last for 25 years. The solar panel recycling process recycles the solar panels and enables the return of the metals and other materials to the manufacturing process.
Recycling of solar modules is generally split into two phases:
The first phase is the separation of the various components of the solar panels. This process can be performed by hand, which is the most labor-intensive phase, or by machine-based separation processes.
The second phase is the metal smelting process. This process is typically performed by a different machine or a group of machines. It ensures that solar panels are a renewable energy source and can last for 25 years.
Solar panel recycling does have numerous benefits as well. One of the most significant benefits is the cost of the equipment. The cost of the equipment is lower than manufacturing a new solar panel.
Other benefits include increased job opportunities, reduction of solar waste & an environment-friendly alternative to coal mining.
Related: 21 Surprising Benefits of Adopting Solar Energy
If we look at the below report from Global-View Research, solar panel recycling is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.8% from 2020 to 2027 on account of the rising preference for renewable sources of energy tracked by promising environmental standards.
Pros & Cons of Solar Panel Recycling
Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular solution for homeowners and businesses. If you are thinking about recycling your old solar panels, you will have a lot of benefits available to you.
Here are some of the benefits & a few drawbacks of solar panel recycling that you should know before making any decision.
Pros of Solar Panel Recycling:
- Recycling solar modules is a great way to conserve natural resources while reducing the environmental pollution.
- Solar panels are made of solar cells and most of the solar cells are made of silicon. Silicon is one of the most abundant elements on Earth. Consequently, recycling these cells is great for reducing waste.
- When you recycle solar modules, you are able to reduce the use of raw materials, which reduces the number of natural resources that go into their production.
- Solar Panel Recycling is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprints.
- The cost of manufacturing a solar panel is drastically reduced by using or recycling old solar modules.
Related: How many solar panels do you need?
Cons of Solar Panel Recycling:
- Recycling solar panels is not that easy due to the limited supply by the companies that are offering recycling services.
- Solar modules are made up of a lot of toxic materials that are difficult to recycle.
- The value of material recovered during the recycling process is low. A maximum of 80% of the material can be recovered.
How to Recycle Your Solar Modules?
Whether you’re an individual or a business, you can recycle your old solar panels, or even damaged solar panels.
There are a few steps that you need to take before you can recycle your old solar panels:
First, you’ll need to identify the number of panels you have. You should also make sure that you do not have any solar panels that are too old or damaged to be recycled.
They can’t be recycled if they don’t have any of the parts that make them work. Once you have that information, you can start recycling your solar panels.
You need to make sure that you are recycling the right panels. You can do this by checking the panels to make sure that they have the right part number. You can also find out what is recyclable and what isn’t.
You’ll also need to make sure that you have the necessary equipment and that you are recycling in an eco-friendly way.
Next, you have to find a solar panel recycling plant or company near you & they will handle it all including transporting as well as recycling your modules.
Below is the list of some of the best solar panel recycling companies in the United States. If you are confused about which company is best in your country – leave a comment & we will try our best to help you asap.
Related: Step-by-step Guide on How to Test a Solar Panel
Best Solar Panel Recycling Companies in the USA
Solar panels are becoming more and more popular and a top option for those who want to save the environment and make a difference.
However, many people are now looking for solar panel recycling companies in the USA. There are many recycling companies that recycle solar modules, but it’s important to find a company that will take your panels and recycles them safely.
In this section, we have listed some of the best solar panel recycling companies in the United States that you can go for!
#1. Cascade Eco Minerals
#2. CleanLites Recycling
#3. First Solar
#4. Green Lights Recycling
#5. Dynamic Lifecycle Innovations
You can head over to this directory by ENF Solar for the best solar panel recycling companies across the globe.
Conclusion
When you are done using your solar panels, you can recycle them to help the environment. Saving the environment is just one of the many benefits of recycling them, so don’t delay: take action today!
To help you out, I have covered a short guide on what solar panel recycling is, its pros & cons along with some of the best solar panel recycling companies.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this blog post. Also, make sure to share it on your Twitter feed!
