Can Solar Panels Be Recycled?

Mostly, I think, we all want to be good stewards of the natural resources we consume. On average, we want to recycle as much as possible.

Solar panels solve one of the most pressing ‘recycle’ questions there has been in recent times…

The fuel a power plant burns results in the heat (which is used) and waste products (most of which are not used). There is no recycling of any appreciable measure in the burning of a fuel- only consumption and by products.

Solar panels however don’t have byproducts when they convert sunlight to energy. Sure, they don’t ‘recycle sunlight’ but as long as this planet exists, sunlight will be a never ending resource that cannot be depleted.

Meaning- there’s nothing to recycle in the process of converting the base fuel to energy like there is in fossil fuels.

So, when comparing the day-to-day operations, solar panels are far more environmentally friendly.

But what about the end of life for solar panels- can they be recycled? Well, the answer is yes, but…

Turns out that currently the process to recycle solar panels is more expensive than just throwing them away so there’s not a lot that are actually recycled.

But, but- progress is being made. The technology is advancing and some in the field predict that maybe in 10 years it will be profitable to recycle.

“Recycling ‘end-of-life’ solar panels, wind turbines, is about to be climate tech’s big waste business”

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/13/recycling-end-of-life-solar-panel-wind-turbine-is-big-waste-business.html

So, how does this compare to the alternatives… Is everything in a decommissioned power plant recycled?

Nukes need not apply to this particular conversation. All of the radioactive waste just destroys the comparison (which would one want more- radioactive waste or garden variety waste)

But for power plants, how about them? The simple answer is there are parts that can’t be recycled as well. While much of it is, there remain some toxic items that cannot be recycled.

So, what does all this mean for a home owner considering rooftop solar? Seems to me that if environmental impact is the #1 priority for that home owner then:

1- solar panels produce no appreciable emissions
2- some parts of power plants can’t be recycled- the solar panel parts that can’t be aren’t toxic
3- industry is tracking to be able to recycle those panels long before the life expectancy of the panels- so when its time to replace them, they will be recycled

Dunno, seems to me to be a much better solution in the ‘environmental’ part of the equation to me…

If you are looking into rooftop solar for your home or business, I have a book coming out soon that is aimed at helping folks get the right solar power system for their needs without getting taken advantage of. Click here if you would like to be notified when it is released.

Be Good!
Curtis