Recycling Solar Panels: A Hidden Challenge as Old Panels Flood the Market

Recycling solar panels is more challenging than many people realize. Although solar panel use is on the rise and their lifespan can reach 30 years or more, disposing of aging panels presents problems due to the complex mix of materials involved. Panels are made from valuable components like silicon, silver, and aluminum, but they’re also tightly sealed with tough protective coatings to withstand the elements. This makes separating the parts for recycling technically difficult and labor-intensive, often requiring special machinery or thermal treatments that aren’t widely available and can be costly.

Additionally, while some regulations encourage recycling, the existing infrastructure supports only limited processing, mainly for metal frames and cables rather than the panel’s internal materials. As the first generations of solar panels reach end-of-life in large numbers, addressing these recycling obstacles is becoming urgent both to recover valuable resources and to prevent environmental harm from landfill disposal. Researchers and manufacturers are working on new ways to improve solar panel design and recycling processes, but these solutions aren’t yet mainstream.

Read the original Arizona solar power article.