What happens to old solar panels

Are old solar panels a problem?

More and more panels will reach the end of life each year (some experts think we'll have 80 million metric tons of solar panel waste by 2050). Even now, old panels are becoming a problem as most of them end up in landfills where they can release toxins harmful to the environment and human health.

Can solar panels be recycled?

The short answer is yes, solar panels can be recycled. About 80% of a solar panel’s weight is glass and aluminum, two highly recyclable materials. However, recycling solar panels isn’t as easy as it sounds. It can be difficult to separate all the different materials for proper recycling because of how solar panels are sealed and constructed.

How long do solar panels last?

And because solar panels contain toxic materials like lead that can leach out as they break down, landfilling also creates new environmental hazards. Most solar manufacturers claim their panels will last for about 25 years, and the world didn’t start deploying solar widely until the early 2000s.

What happens if a solar panel is thrown away?

Additionally, solar panels that are carelessly thrown away can end up in large landfills (as most of them do currently due to the solar panel recycling process' infancy). By recycling solar panels, we can keep harmful materials out of landfills and the environment.

What happens if you don't recycle solar panels?

Heavy metals in solar cells, like cadmium and lead, can become hazardous waste if not recycled or disposed of properly. Additionally, solar panels that are carelessly thrown away can end up in large landfills (as most of them do currently due to the solar panel recycling process' infancy).

Why is it important to recycle old solar panels?

Recycling all the materials that go into making them is essential because those old panels will represent billions of dollars in valuable resources, and some materials used are potentially toxic if discarded in a landfill.