Understand PV Recycling Terms
Reclamation
Reclaiming a waste product by converting it into useful products. This might include separating aluminum frames or glass from PV panels for recycling.
Recycling
The process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. Recycling converts used materials into as close to their virgin state as possible, avoiding the use of raw materials. Recycling will salvage certain materials due to their intrinsic value or hazardous nature.
Repurposing
Giving a new purpose or use to an existing item. For example, repurposing older solar panels in installations requiring less power or in off-grid applications.
Videos
Kate Collardson Talks about Recycle PV Solar Vision
Understand the issues facing the solar industry when is comes to end-of-life panels and Recycle PV Solar's vision to bring full life-cycle...
Recycling Solar Panels
Get a quick overview of solar panel recycling with this one-minute video.
International Energy Agency Assessment of Photovoltaic Module Failures in the Field
Assessment of photovoltaic module failures in the field. Material interactions in PV modules: the rold of polymers in PV module degradation.
Podcasts
SunCast Podcast: Sam Vanderhoof: Solar Cowboyz, PV Recycling, 40 Years in Solar
Episode 127 of SunCast From Nico Johnson, host of SunCast: Sam runs the consultancy Solar Cowboyz, and I thought it fitting to air his episode on...
The Energy Show Podcast: Recycling Solar Panels with Sam Vanderhoof
From The Energy Show On this week’s Energy Show were talking about old solar panels. Specifically, what do you do with them? Solar panels last 30...
Photos
Legislation Affecting PV Recyling
State of Washington Senate Bill 5939
The legislature finds and declares that stimulating local investment in distributed renewable energy generation is an important part of a state...
State of New York Solar Panel Collection Act
AN ACT to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to enacting the "solar panel collection act"; and providing for the repeal of...
California Health and Safety Code 25259
25259. The department may, by regulation, designate end-of-life photovoltaic modules that are identified as hazardous waste as a universal waste...
SB-489 Hazardous Waste: Photovoltaic Modules
Law as Amended SB-489 Hazardous waste: photovoltaic modules. (2015-2016) Article 17. Photovoltaic Modules25259. The department may, by...
Helpful Articles on PV Recycling
PV Magazine USA: It May Be Safe to Put PV in Landfills, but that Doesn’t Mean We Should
From the Article However, these findings are not intended as a carte blanche for the indiscriminate disposal of end-of-life solar panels,...
PV Magazine USA: Solar Panel Recycling: Turning Ticking Time Bombs into Opportunities
From the Article With the average lifespan of a solar panel at roughly 20 years, installations from the early 2000s are set to reach end-of-life....
PV Magazine USA: On the Road to High-value Recycling, Storage is Ahead of Solar
From the Article The Covid-19 pandemic has stakeholders across the renewable energy sector thinking about supply chains and how to maintain them...
Greenmatch: Disposal and Recycling of Photovoltaic Solar Panels
From the Article How Can We Make the Life Cycle of Solar Panels Greener? Disposal and recycling of photovoltaic (PV) modules are of key...
Unstoppable Power
This year, pv magazine is setting a new editorial agenda. Via our program, UP, we will be diving deep into the topic of what it means to be truly sustainable, looking at what is already being done, and discussing areas for improvement. Over the coming weeks, months, and years, we will share our findings across our various digital platforms, in our print magazines, and via our roundtable events and webinars. Are you UP for it?
