As of 2017, over 40 million solar panels have been installed in the United States. This is equivalent to 150 train cars filled with solar panels (6 million pounds) being installed every day in America. Many early PV systems are reaching the end of their useful life. Some recently deployed solar power systems have been damaged by external forces or defects. Only 10% of these decommissioned solar panels are being recycled.

For solar to be a truly sustainable and clean energy source, the full lifecycle of solar components must be addressed by manufacturers, distributors, contractors, and O&M providers. In areas of the US, like California, PV modules must be handled as hazardous waste at end of life. Improper disposal can lead to groundwater issues. By understanding the costs of recycling and repurposing PV prior to removal, your company can turn PV removal into a revenue generator. With solar expanding exponentially in the U.S., it was no longer a “someday” problem. The need for addressing end-of-life disposal was an issue to be addressed immediately.