Case Study
Pacific NW Solar Panel Recycling Project
Executive Summary
On behalf of the utility owner, and with the solar waste management contractor, faced the complex task of decommissioning and recycling up to 13,000 Longi solar modules from two remote project sites in Washington and Oregon. The challenge involved logistical hurdles, environmental health concerns, and the need for full transparency to satisfy regulatory and investor expectations. Solar eWaste Solutions was selected for its proven expertise in photovoltaic recycling, its adherence to R2 and RCRA standards, and its advanced material recovery methods. The project successfully diverted thousands of panels from landfill, recovered valuable materials including glass, aluminum, and silicon, and supported the client’s ESG reporting through documented traceability and compliance.
Washington & Oregon
The project involved two staging areas, which were the Lund Site in Bickleton, Washington, and the Montague Solar Site in Arlington, Oregon. Together, these represented up to 13,000 decommissioned Longi modules. The panels, originally installed for utility-scale energy production, had reached end-of-life due to degradation and performance decline. The utility owner required removal and recycling that met strict compliance standards while ensuring minimal disruption to site operations and meeting investor ESG and business future-proof expectations.
About the project
CHALLENGES
Workforce Constraints
The project sites were located in rural communities where access to reliable labor was limited. Local workforce availability was affected by social and health challenges, requiring careful team selection and quality control.
Remote Location
Both sites were geographically isolated, creating logistical barriers for mobilization, equipment deployment, and transport coordination.
Health and Safety Risks
Fields were heavily infested with rodents, raising the risk of hantavirus exposure. This required specialized protective equipment, sanitization protocols, and strict adherence to OSHA standards.
Tight Timeline
The client needed all panels removed, palletized, and loaded in a short timeframe, with trucks scheduled to begin hauling within three days of field operations.
project location
OUR APPROACH
Solar eWaste Solutions mobilized a specialized team trained in PV decommissioning and hazardous exposure control.
Assessment and Sorting. On-site inspection and preparation ensured panels were stacked evenly, palletized in secure groups of 30–33, and banded according to specification.
Traceability. Serial numbers were scanned and recorded into a digital tracking system, with pallet-level accounting to provide the client with full transparency for ESG and investor reporting.
Health and Safety. Full PPE protocols, respirators, and sanitization measures were implemented to mitigate hantavirus exposure risk. Dust suppression and containment protocols ensured environmental safety during handling.
Logistics. Coordinated staging ensured 20 flatbed trucks were loaded in sequence, beginning on day three of fieldwork, allowing efficient throughput to our Yuma, Arizona, recycling facility.
Material Recovery. At the recycling facility, advanced processes including automated glass separation and chemical recovery methods were employed to maximize recovery rates of glass, aluminum, copper, and silicon.
Recycling your PVs
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