Solar panel waste is rising fast as installations age and newer technologies take over. For commercial developers, solar installers, and energy firms, responsible disposal is no longer optional—it’s a necessity. This article examines six recycling pioneers that are transforming large-scale solar decommissioning into a practical, revenue-positive operation. Each company approaches recovery and reuse differently, with strategies ranging from resale markets to zero-waste policies and robotic dismantling. Their methods don’t just reduce landfill waste—they also deliver real value through reclaimed materials, financial incentives, and smarter logistics. Explore how these industry leaders are setting the standard for solar waste management worldwide.
Solar Recycling set out to address the rising challenge of solar panel disposal. The company differentiates itself by targeting only high-volume commercial and utility-scale projects. Its strategy—called “Zero Net Waste and Zero Net Cost”—is designed to protect both the environment and bottom lines.
SolarRecycling.com applies cutting-edge recovery techniques that reclaim as much as 96% of a solar panel’s materials. Roughly 95% of the glass and 100% of the aluminum frames are recovered, helping divert vast amounts from landfills. Panels that are still functional are refurbished first to maximize their value. Their R2v3 accreditation verifies safe handling of materials like lead, cadmium, and chromium, showing they meet strict recycling standards.
The company offers real returns through resale value. Usable panels are valued between $0.05 and $0.60 per watt, helping offset logistics expenses. For context, new panels typically cost $0.70–$1.50 per watt. These savings are particularly impactful for large-scale systems. Clients can also benefit from:
Their services extend across the U.S., with operations in states like California, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Georgia, and others. Efficient scheduling and transportation support make them accessible to commercial developers and utility-scale operators nationwide.
Clients report both environmental gains and financial efficiency. One large operator highlighted the company’s reliability and environmental focus when decommissioning several thousand modules. SolarRecycling.com has worked with utility companies, solar installers, educational institutions, and agricultural firms—leading to international demand. Their partnership with EnergyBin also boosted their referral network and credibility in the recycling space.
PVRecycling.com specializes in large-scale solar decommissioning, offering full-service solutions for businesses, developers, and solar contractors. Their global partnerships support responsible disposal of solar panels, inverters, batteries, and other components.
The company runs two parallel operations. First, it resells working surplus and pre-owned solar gear through its dedicated marketplace. Second, it processes damaged or outdated equipment through eco-conscious recycling services.
Their approach focuses on sustainability by:
The result is a looped system where all recovered materials re-enter production—a complete circular model.
Traditional panel recycling can be financially inefficient: $20–$30 to recycle, $3–$4 in recovered value. PVRecycling.com narrows that gap by streamlining every step, from collection to material processing.
Clients gain:
Operating on an international scale, the company offers:
Their widespread reach and efficient handling meet the growing demand for proper solar disposal across expanding markets.
Nine years old, Reclaim PV tackles Australia’s growing solar panel waste problem with a groundbreaking approach to PV recycling and waste management. The company was among the first solar panel recyclers in the Australian market and quickly saw the need to create eco-friendly solutions for panels reaching end-of-life.
Reclaim PV worked together with Flinders University to create a unique recycling process that recovers working cells from old panels. Their innovative method uses substantially less energy than traditional solar cell recycling approaches. The company’s flexible model predicts panel lifespans accurately, which helps plan waste management better.
Most recyclers only recover low-value materials. Reclaim PV does things differently by focusing on getting the highest quality materials possible. Their special technique separates and processes components from old PV modules efficiently.
Reclaim PV’s business model fits well with Australia’s National Waste Policy 2018, which puts reuse before recycling when managing waste. Customers save money by avoiding more expensive waste management methods. The process creates value for Australian industries and consumers of all sizes.
The company makes recycling budget-friendly and available to Australian customers through simple collection options and their business partner network.
Reclaim PV’s soaring win comes from their large partner network. They work together with manufacturers, government agencies, recycling partners, and consultants to build reliable infrastructure throughout Australia. These strategic collaborations help create a detailed waste management system that serves the entire PV industry.
Reclaim PV builds connections with private companies to provide universal element communications for Australia’s PV sector. These partnerships let them offer better deals for customers with bigger volumes, though specific bulk discount rates weren’t mentioned in the available information.
Their cooperative approach shows how the circular economy needs everyone – businesses, investors, industry, and policymakers – to work together. This coordination makes eco-friendly business models work better throughout a PV panel’s life.
Veolia, a French multinational company, leads the global environmental services sector. The company runs one of Europe’s first dedicated solar panel recycling plants in Rousset, France. This groundbreaking facility, which opened in 2017, shows Veolia’s steadfast dedication to creating circular economy solutions that address the growing solar waste challenge.
The Rousset facility’s highly automated process features robots that grip panels with suction cups and place them on conveyor belts leading to airtight enclosures. A “guillotine” cuts these panels into small squares that move through multiple shredders. This system separates:
This advanced method recovers about 95% of a panel’s total weight. The facility started by processing 1,800 tonnes in 2018 and expanded to handle 4,000 tonnes yearly by 2021.
Veolia’s business model combines environmental responsibility with financial sustainability. They buy used panels from eco-organizations like Soren and earn money through material resale. This creates two financial advantages:
Their kiln co-processing technology for wind turbine blade recycling also reduces CO₂ emissions by 27% and water consumption by 13% in cement production.
Recycle Solar Technologies stands as the UK’s sole dedicated solar panel recycling company from its base in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire. The company’s strategic location in the UK’s growing renewable energy sector has made it a 15-year-old essential service provider that manages end-of-life solar equipment.
The company builds its operations around three core environmental principles: Reducing, Reusing, or Recycling solar equipment. Their unique process recovers up to 90% of the photovoltaic glass and 95% of semiconductor materials from processed panels. They offer complete system decommissioning services for:
Qualified electricians handle the whole ordeal—from system decommissioning to dismantling and removal for recycling. This all-encompassing approach gives contractors, builders, and property owners a quick way to deal with outdated or damaged solar equipment.
The company keeps its pricing transparent with flexible options that depend on quantity and equipment type. Inverter handling comes with a fixed £55 fee whatever the number delivered. Panel recycling prices stay straightforward with options that include:
Solar panels contain potentially hazardous elements like Lead, Selenium, and Cadmium. The company’s experienced team makes proper disposal easy through nationwide collection services. They work throughout the UK and offer flexible scheduling to meet client’s needs. Customers can drop off loose broken panels or request direct collection, making proper disposal available to everyone.
The company’s commitment goes beyond commercial services. They reinvest profit shares to supply and install new Solar PV products at no cost to eligible UK households. This approach promotes broader renewable energy adoption among other responsible recycling practices.
SolaCycle stands out from other Australian solar panel recycling companies. They tackle both environmental responsibility and cost challenges head-on. Their success shows how tech-driven solutions can make proper panel disposal work for businesses and homeowners.
SolaCycle uses advanced patent-pending technology that pulls over 95% of materials from old solar panels. This is a big deal as it means that typical industry rates sit nowhere near 50%. The company’s smart process recovers valuable parts like aluminum alloy, low-iron glass, silver, silicon, and copper.
The company entered the Australian market with economical recycling services that blend reverse logistics with their unique extraction methods. Their facilities handle panels damaged during setup, weather events, or those that simply reach the end of their life.
Current industry recycling costs usually run $20-$30 per panel. SOLARCYCLE keeps responsible disposal within reach at $18 per panel. This puts them in a sweet spot between landfill disposal ($1-$5) and other recyclers ($10-$40 per unit).
The company justifies this higher cost compared to landfills with detailed environmental analysis that shows real benefits:
The sort of thing I love about SOLARCYCLE is their two-way approach to panel management. They don’t just recycle – they check incoming panels carefully to find ones still good enough to use. These panels get a second chance in:
The company wanted to process one million panels annually by 2023. This creates an environmentally responsible solution for Australia’s growing solar waste challenge.
The solar industry’s rapid growth brings a parallel need for large-scale, economically viable recycling solutions. These six companies demonstrate that it’s possible to manage solar panel waste without compromising cost-efficiency or environmental responsibility. Whether through advanced material recovery, resale channels, or logistics optimization, each one brings a strategic edge to an often overlooked part of the solar lifecycle. Their models prove that panel disposal doesn’t have to drain resources—it can generate them. For developers, contractors, and operators facing equipment retirement, these services offer more than compliance—they provide smart pathways for value recovery and sustainability in an increasingly saturated energy market.
