As more people adopt solar energy, many solar panel units will reach the end of their lifespan after a certain period, resulting in waste. Recycling the panels prevents pollutants from entering the environment and creates employment opportunities. It also conserves resources used to manufacture new solar panels, thereby reducing the need for raw materials and alleviating supply chain restrictions. Please read this blog to learn everything about recycling solar panel units.
Solar Panel System Components
To understand how the solar panel unit recycling process works, this section explains the functions of various components of the solar panel unit.
Photovoltaic Cells
Also known as solar cells, photovoltaic cells are one of the most vital components of a solar panel. Made of semiconductor material, they convert sunlight into electricity via the photovoltaic effect.
During the solar panel unit recycling process, technicians recover PV cells as they are or use them to produce other electronic gadgets or other solar cells. Technicians can also recycle the PV cells by dissolving them in a chemical to recover semiconductor materials.
Solar Panel Glass
The photovoltaic glass acts as a shield, protecting solar cells and ribbons from harsh environmental elements, including hail, moisture, ammonia, impacts, and salt mist. It also collects, transmits, and reduces light reflection, maximizing electricity generation.
During solar panel unit recycling, technicians crush the glass before melting it down and reusing the material to manufacture other panels.
Encapsulation Film
The encapsulation film is located between the rear backsheet of your solar panel and the front glass. It protects sources and provides essential waterproofing and insulation.
During solar panel unit recycling, the encapsulation film undergoes thermal depolymerization, where it is heated to a high temperature, separating the polymer from other components. The polymer can be used to make different products.
Solar Frame
Made of aluminum, the frame offers structural support for your solar panel, enhancing its overall stiffness and strength. It prevents your panel from twisting or bending during transportation and installation, keeping it flat and stable.
During solar panel unit recycling, technicians crush the glass before melting it down and reusing it to manufacture other panels.
Junction Box
A junction box connects the extra circuitry and solar panel. It is the transfer station for the energy your panel generates, which is then transmitted to your storage system.
When to Consider Recycling Your Solar Panels
Here are reasons why you can consider solar panel unit recycling:
- Technical failures — If solar panels exhibit substantial technical issues, like extensive electrical problems or cell damage, recycling may be a more practical option than repair.
- End of lifespan — Solar panels are functional for 25-30 years, after which their effectiveness and efficiency decline, necessitating recycling.
- Storm damage —Following severe storms or natural disasters, you can recycle your damaged solar panels that are beyond repair to reduce the environmental impact.
- Physical damage — You can also recycle your panel if it has visible damage, such as discoloration, broken glass, or cracks that reduce its efficiency. Hot spots on your panel that are hotter than the others could also indicate damage.
- Performance Issues—You can consider recycling your panel if the system is generating significantly less power than before.
- Upgrades — If you choose to replace the current solar panel units with more efficient and advanced models, recycling the old system can ensure proper disposal.
- Environmental laws—In some areas, there are specific requirements and regulations governing the disposal and recycling of solar panel units. Adherence to rules is essential because it promotes environmental responsibility and supports recycling and waste reduction.
Solar Panel Unit Recycling Process
There are two primary categories of solar panel units: film-based and silicon-based. Both require varying recycling approaches and can be recycled using industrial procedures. Presently, silicon-based solar panels are the most common in the market.
Thin-Based Panel Recycling
Technicians can process thin-film solar panels more rigorously. The initial step involves placing the panels in a shredder and then in a hammermill, which reduces the particles to a size of four to five mm. The lamination holds the inner materials together, making them easier to break apart and remove.
A proper recycling system can recover almost all materials from a solar panel. There are various solar panel recycling techniques, which can consist of the following:
- The junction box and frame removal
- Silicon water and glass separation through chemical, thermal, or mechanical procedures
- Separation and refining of silicon cells and rare metals, like copper, tin, silver, and lead, through electrical and chemical methods.
The solar panel unit recycling industry is a relatively new and evolving field, with experts exploring how to commercialize nearly all components of solar panel units.
In the electronics, metals, and glass industries, significant advancements have been made, which can facilitate the recycling of solar panels and other related components. These recycling processes involve crushing, shredding, and milling, which can be done once the junction box and frame are removed. During these processes, aluminum, copper, and glass can be recovered, while other materials, such as silicon-based solar cells, are incinerated.
Silicon-Based Panel Recycling
Your recycling procedure for silicon-based solar panels begins with dismantling them to separate the glass and aluminum parts. Approximately 95 percent of the glass can be reused, while the external metals can be recycled for use in remodeling cell frames. Technicians subject the remaining materials to 500 °C in a thermal processing unit to loosen the merge between the cell elements. Because of the high temperature, the panel’s plastic evaporates, making your silicon cells ready for further processing. The recycling technique ensures that even the panel’s plastic can be recycled as a source of heat for thermal treatment.
Following thermal processing, the green content is manually separated, with 80 percent of it being readily reusable, whereas the rest is refined. Also known as wafers, silicon particles are removed using acid and then melted for reuse in other silicon modules, leading to an 85 percent recycling rate.
What is the Future of Solar Unit Recycling
If not recycled, solar panel units could generate significant waste.
The United States International Trade Commission reports that by 2030, about eight million metric tons of solar panel units will have reached the end of life. The estimated number by 2050 is eighty million metric tons. The report indicates that recycling presents a significant opportunity.
It also predicted that recycled solar panel units could exceed $450 million and $15 billion by 2030 and 2050, respectively. When different recyclers discover how to find value from old solar panel units, going solar can become more sustainable.
Cost of Recycling Your Solar Panel
Recycling your solar panel involves a complex interplay of various factors that influence overall pricing. As the solar panel sector grows, understanding the costs involved is critical for creating sustainable recycling options for photovoltaic models.
Here are crucial factors that impact the costs of solar panel unit recycling:
The Panel Structure
A panel's composition impacts the recycling expense and recoverable resources. Crystalline silicon solar panels, which account for approximately 90% of the market share, require specialized techniques due to their complex composition. The existence of valuable metals, like silver and copper, necessitates sophisticated recovery methods.
Glass, which accounts for about 75% of the panel’s weight, presents its own recycling challenges. While glass has a high recovery rate, meeting the industry’s strict purity protocols for reuse in new panel production may be challenging. Consequently, recycled glass can often result in less demanding applications, decreasing its worth.
Estimates rank panel recycling expenses at about $30 per panel, substantially more than the one-dollar landfill disposal cost. Nevertheless, as recycling technology evolves and scale is achieved, the expense could reduce.
As the panel recycling industry makes significant breakthroughs, such as attempts to recover at least 98 percent of the panel’s mass with 98 percent purity, more cost-effective and efficient solutions may emerge, helping to establish a circular economy in solar energy.
Recycling Logistics
Transportation is a leading cost factor affecting panel unit recycling. Distributing decommissioned solar panels and the distance to the recycling facility may significantly impact the expenses. The logistics costs can range from $1,000 to $2,000 per container, with each container holding a maximum of 500 panels.
The collection expenses range between $0.05 and $0.25 per watt, depending on the number of solar panel units and site accessibility. Regarding large-scale recycling operations, optimizing available transportation networks helps lower costs and enhance recycling efficiency.
Establishing a robust collection infrastructure can be challenging for small-scale recycling facilities. Most operations require huge solar panel waste to achieve profitability, creating barriers for small businesses and homeowners seeking recycling solutions.
Processing Techniques and Technological Advancements
The technology utilized in panel recycling will impact the expenses and material recovery percentage. Current processes include mechanical, chemical, and thermal, with each having its own benefits and drawbacks.
Mechanical recycling, although more cost-effective and safer, presents challenges in separating bonded materials. On the other hand, advanced chemical and thermal methods can achieve significant recovery rates, especially for rare substances such as silver and silicon, but they come with substantial costs.
However, innovative solutions are emerging to tackle these limitations.
Benefits of Solar Panel Recycling
The advantages of recycling your solar panel unit are as follows:
Recovery of Resources
Panels are made from valuable materials, including aluminum, copper, silicon, and silver, among other metals. Recycling of these materials offers resources for manufacturing electronic components and other solar panels, reducing production expenses. Recycling panels also contributes to a circular economy, where components are continually recycled and repurposed, establishing a sustainable supply chain.
Creating Additional Income
Panel recycling also creates avenues for additional income. As clean energy demand increases, the recycling sector is projected to continue expanding. Individuals and entrepreneurs can research the recycling and collection of decommissioned solar panels, supporting the drive for sustainable energy. The additional income could be a valuable incentive for individuals considering a career in solar panel unit recycling.
Preserving the Environment
Recycling your solar panels is a practical approach to protecting the environment from landfill disposal, which can lead to contamination of natural ecosystems. Furthermore, recycling your solar panels is less energy-intensive than extracting and refining new raw materials. Through the use of recycled materials, the energy required for panel production is reduced, resulting in a decrease in the carbon footprint and overall energy efficiency. Over time, recycling may become more pocket-friendly than disposing of the panels. As the demand for recycled materials increases and solar panel unit recycling technologies advance, the economic benefits of recycling will become increasingly significant.
Planning Ahead: Proper Recycling Strategies
Planning for your solar panel unit recycling should not be expensive or complicated, provided you act proactively. Knowing your solar panel unit's lifespan can help you make an informed decision about your future solar panel unit recycling needs.
You can start by maintaining records of your installation, including model number, warranty information, and the manufacturer. Most manufacturers provide a take-back program, which can lower your future recycling expenses. Set aside a given percentage of your annual energy savings in a fund for recycling expenses.
You can also join your local solar community or homeowner group that can organize collective recycling initiatives. The groups can negotiate favorable recycling rates and share insights on pocket-friendly disposal options.
Remember to include transportation expenses and whether your solar firm provides pickup services. Some offer discounts on recycling when you upgrade to new solar panels, making it wise to ask about the program during the initial installation.
Find a Qualified Solar Panel Installation and Maintenance Firm Near Me
Solar panel unit recycling helps build a sustainable and renewable energy industry. Recycling valuable materials conserves resources, reduces waste, and supports a circular economy. The process becomes more environmentally friendly and efficient as the relevant technologies advance. Sun Solar Electric leads the way and utilizes a recycling process that enables us to safely recycle every type of solar panel, regardless of its condition. We are a full-service end-of-lifespan solution and can offer site restoration, logistics, removal, decommissioning, banding, transportation, loading, and repowering services to Bay Area or Northern California communities. We can also provide you with a verified compliance and environmental report to demonstrate that we recycled your unit to the highest standards. Please call us at 707-238-8874 to learn how we can help you.
