Can solar panels be recycled?

Clean energy industries like solar are set to grow exponentially in the coming decade, and the way we manage that growth is critically important, we must foster a circular economy approach to clean energy that accounts for the life cycle of our products. According to the Department of Energy’s Solar Energy Technologies Office, 95% of the materials in solar panels are recyclable. The bulk of a solar panel’s weight (about 90%) is glass and aluminum.12 The remaining PV system materials include steel for racking, piles, and trackers; copper and aluminum for wiring; and plastics for electronics and wire housing. All of these materials are commonly recyclable in the U.S.