The global growth of solar energy, with installations expected to surpass 1 terawatt (TW) of capacity by 2024, has significantly increased the production of solar panels, creating a challenge for managing panels at the end of their life cycle. Discarded panels can pose environmental risks due to toxic materials like lead and cadmium. However, recycling solar panels not only mitigates these environmental hazards but also offers economic benefits by recovering valuable materials such as silicon, aluminum, and rare metals like silver and copper.
What Constitutes Solar Panels?
Solar panels are primarily composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells, typically made of silicon, that convert sunlight into electricity. (You can check out this article: What are solar panels made of?) These cells are protected by a tempered glass cover and encapsulated in ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) to prevent environmental damage. The panels are further supported by an aluminum frame and a polymer backsheet that provides durability and prevents electrical leakage. A junction box on the back houses the electrical connections, while wires made of conductive materials such as copper or silver connect the system. Solar panels also contain valuable materials such as aluminum, glass, silver, and copper, all of which can be recycled and reused, reducing the environmental impact of discarded solar panels.
What Can Be Recycled from Solar Panels?
Silicon Wafers
Silicon wafers are one of the primary components of solar panels and can be effectively recycled. Through specialized processes, the silicon material is extracted from the wafers and purified for reuse in the manufacturing of new solar cells or electronic devices.
Metals
Solar panels contain various metals, including aluminum, copper, silver, and tin, which can be recycled. These metals are extracted through smelting or other refining processes and formed into ingots or pellets for reuse in manufacturing.
Glass
The glass component of solar panels can also be recycled and used in the production of new glass products. Through crushing and melting processes, the glass is transformed into cullet, which can be incorporated into the manufacturing of new panels or other glass-based products.
How to Recycle Solar Panels
The process of recycling solar panels involves breaking down and recovering various materials within the panels, with the goal of reducing waste and reusing valuable resources. Here are the main steps that occur during solar panel recycling:
Step 1:Pre-Treatment
Before entering the recycling phase, solar panels typically undergo pre-treatment, which include dismantling or removing the metal frames, cables, and other attachments from the panels.
Step 2:Thermal Treatment
Some solar panels require thermal treatment, a process where heat is applied to melt or decompose the plastic layers on the panels, exposing materials such as glass and silicon. At temperatures around 500°C, the plastic layer breaks down into gases, leaving behind materials that can be further recycled.
Step 3:Mechanical Separation
In this step, solar panels are crushed into smaller fragments, and then sieving and separation techniques are used to divide the glass, plastic, and other materials. The glass is often recycled, while the plastic may be sent for further processing or disposed of.
Step 4:Chemical Separation
For silicon-based solar panels, chemical separation is an important step. Chemical solutions are used to remove the metal electrodes and other unwanted substances from the silicon wafers. The purified silicon materials can then be reused.
Step 5:Metal Recovery
Precious metals in the panels, such as silver, aluminum, and copper, are also a crucial part of the recycling process. These metals can be extracted and reused through chemical treatments or electrolysis.
Step 6:Reuse or Remanufacturing
The recovered materials, such as glass, silicon, and metals, can be used to produce new solar panels or other products. This helps reduce the demand for natural resources and minimizes environmental waste.
Solar Panel Recycling Prices
Generally, prices can vary based on factors such as the type of solar panels, quality of materials, age, and quantity. Larger volumes of panels typically result in economies of scale, lowering the cost per panel for recycling. Panels in good condition may fetch higher prices due to the ease of processing, while damaged or degraded panels may incur additional handling costs.
Monocrystalline Solar Panels
Monocrystalline silicon solar panels are highly efficient and use silicon with higher purity. They contain a large amount of recyclable silicon and aluminum, and also contain a small amount of silver, and these materials have a high market value. Because monocrystalline silicon panels contain higher purity silicon and more silver, the recycling value is higher.
In the U.S., you can usually get about $25 to $50 for recycling an intact monocrystalline solar panel. This price may vary depending on market demand in your region and the pricing strategy of the recycling facility.
Polycrystalline Solar Panels
Polycrystalline silicon solar panels are less efficient than monocrystalline silicon, but still contain recyclable silicon, aluminum and a small amount of silver. Compared with monocrystalline silicon, the purity of silicon is slightly lower, but it still has a certain market value, and the recycling price is slightly lower.
Polycrystalline solar panels are typically recycled in the U.S. at slightly lower prices than monocrystalline, typically between $20 and $40.
Thin-Film Solar Panels
Thin-film solar panels use materials that are different from silicon substrates and often contain rare metals such as indium, cadmium, and tellurium. Their processing and recycling process is more complicated, and the market demand for the materials they contain is not as large as that of silicon. Due to the scarcity and difficulty of recycling these materials, the recycling market for thin-film solar panels is smaller and the price is lower.
For nickel-containing thin-film solar panels, the recycling cost is as US$25 to US$35 per piece due to the complexity of processing.
Solar Panel Recycling Companies in the United States
In the United States, several companies specialize in the recycling of solar panels, offering comprehensive services for collecting, processing, and repurposing end-of-life panels.
1. First Solar Recycling Program
- Location: Nationwide
- Website: firstsolar.com
- Overview: First Solar operates one of the largest and most comprehensive recycling programs in the solar industry. They focus on recycling their own cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film modules, recovering up to 90% of the semiconductor material and 90% of the glass for reuse.
- Process: The panels are collected and processed in First Solar’s dedicated recycling facilities where materials are extracted and prepared for reuse.
2. Reclaim PV Recycling
- Location: Arizona and expanding across the U.S.
- Overview: Originally an Australian company, Reclaim PV Recycling has expanded operations into the U.S., offering recycling services for silicon-based and thin-film solar panels. They are focused on reducing landfill waste and providing end-of-life solutions for solar technology.
- Process: They decommission solar systems, collect the panels, and use a combination of mechanical and chemical processes to extract valuable materials.
3. We Recycle Solar
- Location: Nationwide
- Website: werecyclesolar.com
- Overview: Specializing in the recycling of both solar panels and solar batteries, We Recycle Solar operates as a full-service provider for large-scale solar farms and smaller residential systems. They focus on properly disposing of hazardous materials and ensuring that components like aluminum frames, glass, and silicon cells are salvaged.
- Process: The company offers both on-site removal and transportation services to their recycling facilities, ensuring an environmentally responsible lifecycle for solar technology.
4. Echo Environmental
- Location: Texas, serving clients nationwide
- Website: echoenvironmental.com
- Overview: Echo Environmental specializes in electronic waste recycling, including solar panels. They have robust recovery processes for silicon-based panels, metals, and glass. They emphasize zero landfill policies, meaning all reusable materials are recovered, and hazardous waste is safely handled.
- Process: The panels are collected and sorted, and valuable materials like copper, aluminum, and silicon are separated for reuse.
5. Recycle PV Solar
- Location: Nevada, services throughout the U.S.
- Overview: Recycle PV Solar is a leader in the solar panel recycling industry, offering recycling solutions for both large utility-scale projects and individual residential systems. They work with both crystalline silicon and thin-film technologies.
- Process: After collection, panels are processed through state-of-the-art techniques that separate and recover glass, metals, and silicon cells for reuse in manufacturing.
6. SunPower Recycling Program
- Location: California, national reach
- Website: sunpower.com
- Overview: SunPower, one of the leading solar panel manufacturers, offers a recycling program to handle their high-efficiency solar panels at the end of their life cycle. They focus on creating a circular economy by recovering materials that can be reused in new products.
- Process: Panels are collected, disassembled, and valuable components like copper and silicon are extracted.
Want to Purchase Brand New Solar Panels?
At SEL, we offer top-quality solar panels and a wide range of other solar solutions tailored to your needs. Whether you're looking to upgrade your home or business with reliable, high-efficiency solar technology, we've got you covered. Plus, we provide free solar solutions to help you make the best choice for your energy needs and budget.
