Solar panel recycling is a crucial aspect of sustainable energy production and environmental stewardship. As the world increasingly relies on solar energy to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change, managing the end-of-life disposal of solar panels becomes imperative.
In Canada, residential solar panels can save homeowners a significant amount of money depending on some variables like which province or territory they are in and if they have smart meters available. As the price of electricity becomes elastic across the country, residential solar panels could be in some territories and provinces become competitive.
According to the Canada Energy Regulator or CER, the installation cost of residential solar panels has dropped drastically in the past decade. While many Canadians are interested in lowering their environmental/carbon footprint, others also consider it to save on electrical bills.
Reclaim introduces solar panel recycling
Reclaim Plastics introduces its newest program, “Solar Panel Recycling”. As time goes by, Reclaim adapts approaches not just on the present needs of Canada, but also looks forward and initiates sustainability opportunities in the future to come.
Why Recycle Solar Panels?
- Resource Conservation: Solar panels contain valuable materials such as glass, aluminum, silicon, and various metals. Recycling allows for the recovery and reuse of these resources, reducing the need for virgin materials.
- Environmental Impact Reduction: Proper disposal of solar panels prevents them from ending up in landfills, where they can release hazardous substances over time. Recycling minimizes environmental pollution and reduces the demand for raw materials.
- Energy Savings: Recycling consumes less energy compared to extracting and processing raw materials. It helps conserve energy and reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with manufacturing processes.
The recycling process typically involves three main steps:
- Collection: Solar panels reach the end of their life cycle due to damage, efficiency degradation, or obsolescence. They are collected from various sources, including residential, commercial, and utility-scale installations.
- Disassembly: The aluminum frame and electrical wiring are removed from the panel.
- Separation: The glass and silicon wafer are separated from each other. This can be done through thermal, mechanical, or chemical processes.
- Purification: The recovered materials are cleaned and purified so that they can be reused in new products.
The recovered glass can be used to make new solar panels, bottles, or fiberglass. The aluminum can be used to make new cans, car parts, or building materials. The silicon can be used to make new solar cells or other electronic components. And the copper can be used to make new wiring or electrical components.
At Reclaim Plastics, we ensure that solar panels are not only diverted away from the landfills but is upcycled and reprocessed into new manufactured materials. Contact us to give your solar panels a second life-cycle.
