Solar energy’s rapid growth brings a growing need for recycling aging and damaged panels. Brett Henderson, CEO of SolarPanelRecycling.com, shares how his company is building capacity and overcoming hurdles in a market where glass dominates panel weight but holds little value.
- Glass is 62-80% of a solar panel’s weight but low value for recycling
- SPR operates plants in four states, scaling to process millions of panels yearly
- Recycling reduces environmental risks though cost remains a hurdle
What happened
As solar panels reach their end of life—due to damage, upgrades, or aging—millions are retiring across the U.S., creating mounting waste. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates up to 10 million metric tons of panels will accumulate by 2050, second only to China. This volume equals nearly 400 million modules becoming obsolete and needing disposal or recycling.
SolarPanelRecycling.com (SPR), led by Brett Henderson, is responding to this challenge by opening and expanding specialized recycling facilities in North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and soon California. These plants currently handle about one million panels a year with the capability to rapidly scale up, aiming to provide a practical solution to the growing demand for solar panel recycling.
Why it feels good
Solar panels are mostly glass, which is inexpensive and not highly valuable for recycling, making the economics difficult. SPR’s innovative approach focuses less on profit from materials and more on mitigating environmental and regulatory risks for utilities and owners. Recovering aluminum frames and silver contacts offsets some costs, while handling hazardous waste liability remains a crucial service.
Thanks to continuous improvements like rebuilt separation machinery and steady panel volumes, SPR has reduced its recycling costs significantly in recent years. By ensuring clean separation of materials, SPR helps divert waste from landfills and makes recycled components useful for industries such as foundries, driving progress toward a more circular economy for solar panel materials.
What to enjoy or watch next
The future of solar panel recycling depends on scaling infrastructure, improving material recovery processes, and evolving policies. While silicon purity from recycled wafers still falls short of manufacturing standards, advancements may emerge as demand for sustainable materials grows. Meanwhile, reuse of early-retirement panels is limited by size and certification challenges.
Those interested in the ongoing transformation can follow SPR’s expansion and industry collaborations, like the partnership with the Solar Energy Industries Association on residential panel drop-off programs. Keeping an eye on regulatory developments such as landfill bans and insurance requirements will also be important, as these may accelerate recycling adoption and innovation.