Are Solar Panels Recyclable? The Ins and Outs

They last 20 to 30 years, so you don’t often have to wonder if solar panels are recyclable. The answer isn’t simple, but technically, you can recycle solar panels if you can find a recycling center near you. Doing so is easier said than done since panel recycling infrastructure is still growing, and recycling panels is costly for homeowners. If you’re ready to replace your solar system, this guide covers what you need to know about recycling solar panels.

Recyclable Parts of a Solar Panel

Some solar panel recycling companies have figured out how to recover up to 95% of the panel’s material value, although the actual rate varies from recycler to recycler.

The recyclable components of a solar panel include:

• Glass

• Aluminum

• Copper

• Silver

• Silicon

• Plastic

Solar panels are over 75% glass, so at first glance, it might seem like recycling these units should be an easy task. However, it’s complex to disassemble all the different parts of a solar panel. Doing so requires thermal, mechanical, chemical, or electrical processes, so you can only recycle solar panels at specialized centers.

How to Recycle Your Solar Panels

As the demand for solar panel recycling increases, the number of centers will likely grow. Several solar panel recycling locations exist in Texas, Arizona, New York, Nevada, South Carolina, North Carolina, Ohio, Minnesota, and Michigan. These locations are run by private companies, some of which manufacture panels.

The easiest way to find a solar panel recycler near you is to search online. If you’re having trouble finding an option, contact your local landfill and ask for guidance.

Cost of Recycling Solar Panels

Solar panel recycling costs $15 to $45 per panel in the U.S., significantly more than landfill disposal fees of $1 to $5 per panel. Considering that an average home uses 15 to 20 panels, the total costs are $300 to $900 for recycling versus $15 to $100 for taking them to the landfill. In contrast, recycling panels costs $0.75 per panel in Europe.

Alternatives to Recycling Solar Panels

Besides sending your panels to a recycler, prolonging your solar panels’ life span is possible if you stay current on repairs (instead of replacing them). Investing in a new system is better if your panels are near the end of their life span and have consistent issues. But if your panels aren’t that old, contact a solar panel installer near you and have a pro check for common issues like a failing inverter, faulty wiring, or mechanical damage.

Donating your solar panels is another alternative to disposing of them. Some programs require that solar panels work at 50% capacity or more. These donations are tax-deductible as long as you receive an eligible donation receipt.

The Future of Solar Panel Recycling

Some cities and counties are passing bills prohibiting solar panel disposal at landfills and consider solar panels to be e-waste, short for electronic waste. Specific recyclers handle e-waste because it can contain hazardous materials.

So far, Washington is the only state that has mandated solar panel recycling, a law that goes into effect in July 2025. California, the state with the most solar panels in the country, allows solar panel disposal at landfills as long as the make and model are deemed nonhazardous. There is only one solar panel recycling center in the entire state.

Currently, 90% of panels end up in landfills, and MIT Technology Review estimates there will be 8 million metric tons of solar panels in landfills by 2030 and 80 million metric tons by 2050. Possible solutions to reduce the number of panels in landfills include passing laws to mandate solar panel recycling and requiring manufacturers to subsidize recycling costs.

Finally, greater consumer understanding and awareness of solar panel recycling is likely to help prevent so many units from ending up in landfills. If going green is one of your main motivators for installing solar, the best thing you can do is research recycling options for your panels.