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: Solar panel recycling in the US — a looming issue that could harm industry growth and reputation
The solar industry cannot claim to be a clean energy source if it leaves a trail of hazardous waste. But, absent a cogent PV recycling policy, the U.S. risks sending millions of solar modules and tons of toxics to landfill in the coming years. A new initiative by Recycle PV Solar seeks to address this problem.
5 Research Priorities for Making Sure More Solar PV Materials Get Recycled
The main problem with recycling PV materials is that doing so costs more than dumping them in a landfill, says Garvin Heath, senior scientist at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and co-author of the since-released study by the International Energy Agency’s Technology Collaboration Programme on Photovoltaics Power Systems.
Grist: Solar Panels are Starting to Die. What Will We Do with the Megatons of Toxic Trash?
Solar panels are an increasingly important source of renewable power that will play an essential role in fighting climate change. They are also complex pieces of technology that become big, bulky sheets of electronic waste at the end of their lives — and right now, most of the world doesn’t have a plan for dealing with that.
The World Is Facing A Solar Panel Waste Problem
Solar panel installations hit a total 629 GW last year--an increase of 12 percent from 2018. It was also a lot—really a lot—of panels. And in a few years, these panels could become a major waste management headache.
Engineering & Technology: Spotlight on a Solar Scandal
Millions of solar PV panels could fail or degrade prematurely and may even be at risk of fires. But no one knows exactly where they are or how big the problem is. Rectifying the faults could cost billions. E&T investigates.
