Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • SPW State News Hub
      • IRA coverage
      • Solar tariffs
      • U.S. manufacturing updates
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractor’s Corner
      • Trends in Solar
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Policy
    • The Solar Policy Scoop
    • IRA Coverage
  • Markets
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Community Solar
    • Utility
  • Products
    • Winners of SPW’s 2024 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Electric Vehicle (EV)
    • Inverters
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
    • Racking and Mounting
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
    • Solar Classrooms
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Old solar panels get second life in repurposing and recycling markets

By Billy Ludt | January 9, 2019

Share

Solar modules no longer need to simply wind up in the landfill once they’re decommissioned. Is a panel cracked? Shattered? At the end of its warranty lifetime? That panel can still serve a purpose, whether run through a recycling process and fed back into the supply chain; or repurposed or reused as a replacement panel or a power source for a smaller project.

solar recycling

Modules lean against the wall at the working for the Son solar facility. The panels the solar company receives are repurposed for smaller solar projects or recycled.

Companies are putting in the hours to ensure the longevity of solar, despite a lack of any legislative backing. One does it through an online marketplace for solar; another is repurposing decommissioned panels to power homes in need; and another recently opened a solar recycling facility.

Online panel reselling market

EnergyBin is a members-only, business-to-business web platform for solar companies to list or seek solar components for sale or resale. The renewables marketplace grew out of BrokerBin of the Broker Exchange Network, a similar service that lists commercial computer equipment rather than solar.

While its sole purpose isn’t resale, EnergyBin has found success in connecting sellers with buyers interested in purchasing replacement components for solar arrays. Installers seeking older replacement panels to match the panels in existing solar arrays might be hard-pressed to find them with distributors. However, those years-old components might be listed on EnergyBin.

There is an application process and fee to join the EnergyBin community. Members can search the marketplace by product and receive quotes from multiple distributors at once to compare prices.

rooftop solar recycling

Solar panels installed on a slanted rooftop home in Mexico by working for the Son solar provides free electricity for the occupants.

“Sometimes there are customers that we’re working with that aren’t necessarily interested in purchasing the latest and greatest technology, and they’re perfectly fine with settling for a more feasible option, which might be new or refurbished,” said Melissa Schmid, marketing communication manager at EnergyBin.

EnergyBin’s approximately 3,500 members are comprised of solar installers, developers, EPCs, distributors, manufacturers and O&M managers in markets ranging from small to large.

Used panels for missionary work

When a panel reaches its warranty lifespan, that doesn’t necessarily mean it can’t produce energy. Vincent Latham Sr., founder of working for the Son solar (WFTSS) of Fresno, California, knew that despite degrading efficiency, used panels could be installed on volunteer projects where any amount of energy helps.

Since its start, WFTSS has kept more than 100 tons of solar materials from landfills, Latham said. Its repurposed panels have been sold to buyers like solar DIYers and companies seeking replacement parts for existing arrays. By selling repurposed panels and decommissioning large-scale arrays, WFTSS can fund its main mission of bringing pro bono solar projects to indigenous people of Mexico.

lifespan solar recycling

With additional assistance from donations, Latham works with Youth With a Mission ministries (YWAM), an organization that builds homes in about 20 countries for people in need, including Mexico. Latham said the communities they work with often have small power grids, or sometimes none at all. Since solar arrays can’t tie into this fragile or nonexistent grid, WFTSS makes solar+storage microgrids for those homes using repurposed panels.

Part of Latham’s mission is teaching people about solar independence, as well as the viable lifespan of solar panels.

“I’ve probably spent most of my time educating people on what we’re doing,” Latham said. “Nobody even understands that there’s this burgeoning need [for recycling] that’s going to happen, because these panels are coming to an economic end of life, not a liability end of life.”

Latham previously worked for SolarCity, and during his time there saw many panels end up in a landfill.

“We started decommissioning huge solar arrays that needed to be removed from roofs or what-have-you, because they were going to reroute a commercial building or a county building and they didn’t know what to do with these panels,” he said. Usable components like wiring were removed, and the aluminum frame was ground up for scrap. The remaining pieces were sent to landfills.

stack solar recycling

A stack of solar panels set for recycling will soon be separated from their aluminum frames, wiring and junction boxes and run through an oven to begin the process at RecyclePV’s solar recycling facility.

Latham learned it didn’t have to be that way. Even when the glass is cracked, WFTSS can seal the panel for further use. In addition to repurposing, the company recycles panels. Currently, through heating the panel and removing components, the company can recycle about 90% of a solar module.

That process removes silicon from panels, which is then returned to the manufacturing stream to make new modules. WFTSS is working with California State University, Fresno, faculty to determine a means to safely remove phosphorus, platinum, silver and lead from panels. Prior to having in-house recycling, WFTSS had to send loads of decommissioned PV equipment overseas. Now, other solar contractors can send retired solar arrays to Fresno.

“Safety is our main concern, and we want to try to be environmentally friendly at the same time,” Latham said. “We really believe that this is something that really needs to get done, and not just grind it up and throw it into a landfill.”

Bringing panel recycling stateside

The State of California passed Senate Bill 489 in 2015, which designated photovoltaic solar panels as hazardous materials; meaning the technology cannot be disposed of in landfills in the state. This poses a problem for decommissioning arrays, since California’s the largest solar market in the United States. There is no mandated recycling program at the state or federal level, either. While California’s landfills are free from future solar panels, decommissioned arrays are still ending up in landfills in different states. If panels can’t be shipped to nearby states, they sit in stacks in California warehouses.

To avoid bogging down other states’ landfills with panels, RecyclePV of Grass Valley, California, opened a solar recycling facility in Arizona in the summer of 2018.

“We’re seeing the problem being pushed off to other states where regulations are more relaxed,” said Sam Vanderhoof, owner and consultant at Solar Cowboyz, the umbrella company for RecyclePV. “The secondary issue that we see is the cost to recycle. The net value of the materials that could be the claim on solar panels is less than what the customer should process.”

crushed solar recycling

After the glass panel from a solar module is heated in an oven, it is crushed, and the materials are separated and ground up.

RecyclePV partnered with PV Cycle, a European non-profit solar recycling organization, to bring a similar service to the United States. After traveling the country visiting facilities and consulting companies that recycle different types of large-scale electronics, RecyclePV opened its recycling facility.

The process varies by type, but to recycle a panel, RecyclePV separates the aluminum frame, removes the junction box and attached wires and runs the glass panel through an oven. That’s followed by crushing and separating materials. “It all depends on the type of module, but that’s the basic process: it’s a separation and heating process,” Vanderhoof said. RecyclePV can recover 98% of materials from a decommissioned module.

“I started watching what was happening to these solar panels after they were used, and in most cases, they can be reused,” Vanderhoof said. “That’s something we totally advocated [for], reusing these solar panels. You can take panels that have been out in the sun for 20 or 30 years, and a lot of the older ones still work.”

The second service RecyclePV offers is repurposing and reusing solar panels. The company accepts shipments of decommissioned arrays for repurposing or recycling from anywhere in the country. To be tested, the panels are shipped to a site where they are assessed. The panels are repaired and then redeployed if they’re not functioning. Since these modules are refurbished, they’re sold at a lower cost ($0.05-$0.15 per watt, compared to $0.50 for new panels on the wholesale market). RecyclePV is currently finding refurbishing centers closer to its operations to cut shipping costs.

powder solar recycling

The crushed materials are processed further into a powder, which will be sent back into the manufacturing chain, possibly used again in solar products. RecyclePV can recycle approximately 98% of the materials in a solar panel.

Vanderhoof said the biggest issue the solar industry is facing in terms of recycling is a lack of nationwide policy for recycling modules. There are many reasons panels might be considered trash by some due to manufacturing errors, brown spotting, delamination and diode defects; and severe weather damaging whole arrays, but may still be usable, either by repurposing or recycling. An influx of end-of-life solar equipment is expected in 30 years, but thousands of potentially usable panels are sitting dormant in warehouses or heading to landfills today. There are companies out there to help.

You may also like:


  • When demand outweighs supply, check out the secondary solar market

  • How to decommission a solar array, and why it’s important…

  • It’s time to plan for solar panel recycling in the…

  • Can solar panels be recycled?

About The Author

Billy Ludt

Billy Ludt is senior editor of Solar Power World and currently covers topics on mounting, installation and business issues.

Comments

  1. Ra says

    September 9, 2021 at 12:28 am

    Great article!
    We would love to work with recycle and/or decommission companies. The future looks brighter when strong-minded individuals work together!
    Stay safe and bless your families.

    Contact us at:
    info@rasolarpwr.com

    Reply
  2. Dave Mason says

    September 6, 2021 at 5:57 pm

    Hello
    We are a small startup solar recycler in Southern Oregon. We accept panels and components for recycling in any quantity.

    Reply
  3. Max says

    May 26, 2021 at 12:28 pm

    I have the infrastructure to reuse and refurbish old panels in the middle east for a second life-cycle.
    Has anyone suggestions where I can get larger amounts of panels that would otherwise go to landfill/be shredded?

    Thanks a lot,
    Max

    Reply
  4. Isabella Zhu says

    May 10, 2020 at 7:55 am

    good article billy, really useful and straightforward

    Reply
  5. Eric Stikes says

    February 8, 2020 at 3:25 pm

    Our nonprofit, Good Sun, based in northern California also takes in donations of used solar equipment to help fund our charitable solar projects. To learn more visit our website http://www.goodsun.life

    Reply
    • Greg Putnam says

      September 22, 2020 at 11:16 am

      I don’t see how to donate solar panels on your site. I have 64 – 185w panels to donate after replacing them with 320w ones. I am in Northern California near Santa Rosa.

      Reply
      • Eric Stikes says

        September 30, 2020 at 4:09 pm

        Hi Greg, were you able to connect with our team? If not, please send us an email team@goodsun.life. Cheers!

        Reply
  6. Yehudis Lubin says

    June 17, 2019 at 5:52 pm

    I have solar panels that I would like to donate, do you know someone who would take them?

    Reply
    • MOE says

      January 11, 2020 at 12:05 pm

      We are looking for solar panels donation for an extra curricular school project. Are your panels in working condition and which state are they located?

      Reply
    • Muhammad Shafiq says

      February 7, 2020 at 5:55 am

      Greetings!
      I’m glad to hear this good news
      I’m from Pakistan ,I have a business of solar installation.There are many needy and poor peoples,who can’t afford the panels and was in big problem due to electricity problems
      So if you are willing to help them,then please contact to me.I do my best to connect you with those needy peoples.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Jay Kim says

        February 21, 2020 at 7:27 pm

        I can supply those panels to you. Please, contact me at jaykim@naver.com
        We are based in the US and Korea.

        Reply
  7. Ken Mathew Market Worldwide says

    February 28, 2019 at 11:13 am

    Due to raising concerns about environment and increasing energy needs, solar energy industry will show continous surge. According to a report published by TechSci Research on Global Solar Panel Recycling Market, the global solar panel recycling market is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 20% through 2024, on the back of increasing volume of decommissioned PV panels coupled with strict laws to boost effective recycling.

    Courtesy: https://www.techsciresearch.com/report/global-solar-panel-recycling-market/3776.html

    Reply
  8. Suresh Bhate says

    January 17, 2019 at 5:13 pm

    Dont you have to be concerned about non similar I-V curves before you use just any PV module in series with some other ?

    Reply
    • Rafe Husain says

      April 30, 2021 at 3:21 am

      I have old solar panels.
      I want to use them as flooring. Like tile or marble. Want your opinion if possible
      Rafe

      Reply
  9. Andy Cazzato says

    January 17, 2019 at 1:42 pm

    I have been storing some pv mods with broken glass which still have good Voc and Isc and would like to know what to use for resealing the glass. These would only be used on my own property, most likely with
    microinverters to keep the dc voltage low.

    Reply
    • Kye says

      January 19, 2019 at 4:14 am

      Have yet to try it… but was thinking epoxy resin might work.

      Reply
  10. Gumby says

    January 17, 2019 at 1:05 pm

    Is the oven polluting air?

    Reply
    • Rudy H. says

      June 21, 2021 at 7:30 pm

      Probably, but the bigger issue is all the energy used to manufacture and then recycle them takes away a lot of the net gain.

      Reply
  11. Stanley Funk says

    January 11, 2019 at 2:35 am

    I’m interested in some more panels and off-grid equipment ie charge controllers batteries Supply cables connecting cables hubs Etc

    Reply
  12. Vincent Latham Sr says

    January 10, 2019 at 10:05 pm

    Thanks Bill, great coverage…one or two remarks to clarify: we only stage our modules for recycling to date, but once shipped with PV Cycle Europe cited in article where our panels ended up.
    Dr AJ at Fresno State and I are still working on process which hopefully will be ready by the time current California legislation and demand sync up. Thanks again
    Vincent Latham Sr
    President
    WFTSS, inc
    http://www.workingfortheSonsolar.com

    Reply

Tell Us What You Think! Cancel reply

Related Articles Read More >

CVE starts construction of solar + storage project on NY capped landfill
Bechtel to EPC final 900-MW portion of Indiana’s Mammoth Solar project
XL Batteries tapped to provide long-duration onsite energy storage for data center developer
Texas bill would require solar developers to pay for natural gas or energy storage backup power
Solar Power World Digital Edition
Check in with the nation's leading solar construction magazine today.
 
“the-informed-solar-installer”
“solar
“spw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Solar Power Professionals.

Contractor’s Corner Podcast

“solar
Solar Power World
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Solar Articles
  • Windpower Engineering & Development
  • Leadership
  • About/Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Advertising
  • WTWH Media

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | RSS

Search Solar Power World

  • Home
  • Top Solar Contractors
  • Articles
    • Most Recent Posts
    • News
      • Latest News Items
      • SPW State News Hub
      • IRA coverage
      • Solar tariffs
      • U.S. manufacturing updates
    • Featured
      • Latest Feature Stories
      • Contractor’s Corner
      • Trends in Solar
      • The Solar Explorer
  • Policy
    • The Solar Policy Scoop
    • IRA Coverage
  • Markets
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Community Solar
    • Utility
  • Products
    • Winners of SPW’s 2024 Top Products
    • Batteries and Storage
    • Electric Vehicle (EV)
    • Inverters
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
    • Racking and Mounting
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
    • Software
    • Solar Panels
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
  • Resources
    • About SPW
    • Digital Issues
    • Event Coverage
    • Podcasts
    • Product Manufacturing Locations
      • U.S. solar inverter manufacturers
      • U.S. solar mounting manufacturers
      • U.S. solar panel manufacturers
    • Solar Classrooms
    • Suppliers
    • Videos
    • Webinars / Digital Events
    • Whitepapers
    • Voices
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe