There are several reasons why a growing number of large solar asset owners are now making the commitment to recycling or reusing solar panels at the end of life, rather than landfilling them:
- Environmental benefits: Solar panels contain toxic materials such as lead, cadmium, and mercury that can harm the environment if they are not disposed of properly. Recycling or reusing these panels can help to reduce the environmental impact of these toxic materials and protect the environment. Solar asset owners care about the communities that their projects are based in and don’t want to pollute these communities. They are adding value not adding toxicity.
- Resource conservation: Recycling solar panels allows for the recovery of valuable materials such as silicon, aluminum, and glass, which can be used to manufacture new solar panels, reducing the need to extract new raw materials. Top companies think long term.
- Cost savings: Selling their panels for reuse can alleviate the cost associated with disposal and provide value for these recovered panels, providing a financial benefit to the large solar asset owners. Not only that, but these panels then go on to provide low cost solar options direct to low income families and individuals.
- Brand reputation: Large solar asset owners that make a commitment to recycling and sustainability are more likely to attract environmentally conscious customers, which can improve their brand reputation and lead to increased demand for their products and services. Their stockholders, employees and customers can be proud.
- Regulatory compliance: Governments around the world are implementing regulations that require the proper disposal of electronic waste, including solar panels. Making a commitment to recycling or reusing solar panels can help large solar asset owners to comply with these regulations and avoid penalties.
Therefore, making a commitment to recycling or reusing solar panels at the end of life is not only good for the environment, but it can also provide several financial, reputational, and regulatory benefits to large solar asset owners. There are reasons why the top renewable companies are making the commitment to sustainable solutions for solar panel end of life.
