Insights
Solar eWaste Solutions is dedicated to providing clear, transparent educational content tailored for developers, project managers, and those involved in community and utility-scale solar projects. We focus on the technical aspects of solar recycling, emphasizing transparency and how optimized value recovery leads to efficient, cost-effective solutions.
Our goal is to equip you with the information and tools you need to make informed decisions, optimize material recovery, and ensure compliance with industry regulations. Explore our downloadable resources, read about us in the news, and discover how our innovative recycling solutions can enhance your sustainability efforts, lower your company’s hazardous waste risks, and drive long-term value as a responsible company. Our resources page is a constant development of content that addresses your pressing questions.
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Guide for Sustainability Directors Developing a ‘Zero Solar Panels to Landfill Initiative’
As solar deployment continues to scale across the U.S., so does the volume of panels reaching the end of their useful life. Sustainability directors and operations teams now face a growing mandate from investors, regulators, and the public to ensure those panels don’t end up in landfills. Whether driven by
O&M Safety Guide for Handling End-of-Life Solar Panels
Electricity demand is surging in the U.S., and it’s all driven by big growth relying on electrification, artificial intelligence, which requires new data centers, and let’s not forget the resurgence in industrial reshoring and manufacturing. All great news, and that means all the connected industries like energy supply are also
Why Solar Farm Decommissioning Is Happening Sooner Than Expected and How to Prepare for Costs
Solar farms are being decommissioned sooner than expected, catching many developers and operators off guard. While these projects were initially designed to last 25 to 30 years, changing market conditions, technological advancements, and shifting regulations are pushing solar assets out of service earlier. Some panels are failing prematurely, while others
Solar Developers: How to Meet Investor ESG Goals and Tackle Solar Panel Recycling with Your EPCs
The question of who is responsible for recycling broken and end-of-life solar panels on large-scale installation projects is becoming clearer. In most cases, the responsibility is shared. Financially, it falls on the project owners, as they are the ones who must approve change orders. Operationally, the task of recycling is
Solar PV Recycling & Reuse: What Documents You Need to Request
Going beyond a certificate of recycling, here is a list of other verifiable information to request from your large-scale solar PV recycling facility Without clear records and in the worst-case scenarios, reused panels can be illegally dumped, mishandled, or shipped overseas, disproportionately affecting vulnerable communities that lack proper recycling infrastructure.
How to Determine if Your Solar Panel Contains Hazardous Waste and What to Do About It
Solar is proving to be as resilient in adoption as it is in nature. Powering through federal uncertainties, solar energy continues to provide more of the world with energy independence and clean, renewable energy from the sun. The results of reducing sole reliance on fossil fuels, decreasing carbon emissions, and
A Checklist for Solar Owners to Perform Due Diligence on Solar PV Recyclers
As solar owners, understanding your responsibilities at the end of your solar panels’ lifespan is crucial. With many panels reaching retirement, it’s essential to choose the right recycler to ensure responsible management and material recovery. Did you know that about 97% of materials in solar panels can be recovered? However, improper recycling can lead to environmental harm and legal liabilities. Our comprehensive checklist will guide you through the due diligence process, helping you select a qualified PV recycler that aligns with the Superfund Recycling Equity Act. Protect your investment and the environment—discover how to make informed choices today.
The Urgent Guide for O&Ms and EPCs to Manage End-of-Life Solar Panels
The solar industry’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond energy generation. When solar modules and their associated components reach the end of their lifecycle, project owners face the challenge of managing these solar materials responsibly. We must prepare for this line item; whether upgrading systems, handling damaged panels, or managing early
Local Solar Panel Recycling: The Best Options for Homeowners
As a homeowner, it’s great you are making the choice to recycle your solar panels once they reach the end of their life. Whether you have solar panels that are still operational and want to send them to be reused. finding local options will help keep costs low. Solar adoption
Do You Need to Worry About Hazardous Waste When Selling or Donating Solar Panels? Best Practices for Safe Solar Reuse
When dealing with used solar panels, whether from an upgrade, damage, or a transition to new technology, the ideal scenario is to extend their life by selling or donating them. Reuse supports environmental goals, conserves valuable materials, and reduces waste. However, it comes with responsibilities that must be understood to
IEEE Power Engineering Society Meeting: Utility-Scale Photovoltaic End-of-Life Management and Risk Prevention Speaker
IEEE PES BOSTON PRESENTS A TECHNICAL MEETING ON: Utility-Scale Photovoltaic End-of-Life Management and Risk Prevention SpeakerSpeaker: Dwight Clark, CHMM, General Manager at Solar eWaste Solutions, R2 and WEEE Standards Consultant.Date: Tuesday, December 10th, 2024 Location: Presentation starts at 6:00 pm (EST). Online only via MS Teams; no in-person gathering (RSVP
Guide for Ensuring Solar Glass Recycling Happens for Your PV Panels
A significant portion of framed silicon-based solar panel waste is glass, approximately 67-76%. Ensuring effective recycling of this glass is not only crucial for minimizing the environmental impact but also for achieving circular economy goals, a big value renewable energy investors are looking for. The recycling of solar glass presents
Presentation on Utility-Scale solar PV Recycling by Solar eWaste Solutions
The following is a transcript from the Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Module Recycling presentation delivered by Dwight Clark, CHMM and General Manager of Solar eWaste Solutions at the eSummit powered by SERI. For the full presentation, click here or on the presentation image linked. Transcript Hey. Welcome, everybody. This presentation’s on utility
Is Mixing PV Glass into Concrete Legitimate Recycling? A Regulatory Perspective
Researchers at Germany’s Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research anticipate a steep rise in global glass demand as the solar industry increasingly adopts double-glass photovoltaic (PV) panels. Unlike conventional panels, which only have glass on the front, these double-glass panels add a
How Are Solar PV Modules Tested for Toxicity?
9.57 million tonnes of PV panels are expected to reach their end-of-life (EOL) by 2050. It’s exciting to see the launching of large-scale PV development plans throughout the United States. As we develop these massive utility-scale solar projects, we must consider how we will responsibly recycle these panels after reaching
How to Effectively Package Your Panels to Load a Truck & Retain Value
A PV recycling green flag is when your recycler makes extra sure to help you stack, pile, and prepare your PV panels for recycling. Doing so means that the recycler prioritizes maintaining the value of your panels, whether they be for reuse or recovering materials. It’s important for your field
What are 4 Risks Involved with PV Disposal and Recycling for utility scale solar
It’s expected that the total quantity of end-of-life PV panels will reach 9.57 million tonnes by 2050, and managing the disposal and recycling of those panels is already a growing concern in the solar industry, driven by the need to process those panels and ramp up the Solar eWaste industry.
How to Qualify Your Downstream Solar Panel Recycling Partners
As the solar industry continues to grow, so does the challenge of responsibly managing solar waste. Without proper oversight, choosing the wrong recycler can lead to legal and environmental risks under RCRA and CERCLA, from hazardous waste mishandling to the potential for contamination and even superfund site creation. Ensuring that
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