Global Solar Panel Recycling Market 2024-2031

Global Solar Panel Recycling Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Material (Glass, Plastic, Aluminum, Silicon, and Metals), by Product (Silicon Based PV, and Thin Film PV), and by Process (Thermal, Mechanical, Chemical, Combination, and Laser) Forecast Period (2024-2031)

The solar panel recycling market is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 14.3% during the forecast period (2024-2031). The market growth is attributed to the increasing adoption of silicon-based PV solar panels containing silicon solar cells resulting in increased demand for solar panel recycling globally. According to the American Chemical Society, in May 2022, More than 90.0% of photovoltaic (PV) panels rely on crystalline silicon and have a life span of about 30 years. Forecasts suggest that 8.0 million metric tons of these panels will have reached the end of their working lives by 2030, a tally that is projected to reach 80.0 million tons by 2050.

Market Dynamics

Innovative Approaches to Solar PV Panel Recycling

Innovations in solar PV panel recycling are developing rapidly owing to the demand for sustainability and advanced technology. These inventive procedures, which use robotics and automation, make it possible to disassemble panels quickly and effectively, separating and recovering precious materials like silicon wafers, metals, and glass. This method is in line with the circular economy's tenets since it reduces waste and makes it easier to reuse and repurpose components. Moreover, chemical recycling solutions are growing more and more common as a viable method of disassembling solar PV panels into their parts. Valuable components like silicon and silver can be extracted by dissolving encapsulating materials using solvent-based methods and chemical baths.

Collaboration with Recycling Centers and Manufacturers

Collaboration between recycling facilities and manufacturers is essential for efficient recycling and sustainable product design. Partnerships make it easier to share expertise, dispose of waste properly, and create environmentally friendly products. Interacting with manufacturers also encourages creative recycling methods and extended producer responsibility. To create efficient recycling systems and promote eco-friendly designs, cooperation between installers, manufacturers, legislators, and recyclers is essential. Adopting these principles ensures the longevity and environmental integrity of solar energy solutions and creates a more sustainable, greener planet.

Market Segmentation

• Based on the material, the market is segmented into glass, plastic, aluminum, silicon, and metals.
• Based on the product, the market is segmented into silicon-based PV and thin film PV.
• Based on the process, the market is segmented into thermal, mechanical, chemical, combination, and laser.

Silicon Based PV is Projected to Hold as the Largest Segment

The primary factors supporting the growth include increasing scrapped Si-based photovoltaic (PV) panels. The rapid development of the photovoltaic (PV) industry has led to increasing emissions of silicon-based solid (SIBS) waste. According to the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE, in February 2022, around ten thousand tons of silicon in discarded photovoltaic modules end up on the recycling market annually in Germany. This figure rise to several hundred thousand tons per year by 2029. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP and the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE together with the largest German recycling company for PV modules, Reiling GmbH & Co. KG, have developed a solution, in which the silicon in the discarded modules was recycled on an industrial scale and reused to produce new passivated emitter and rear contact (PERC) solar cells.

Glass Sub-segment to Hold a Considerable Market Share

The majority of a solar panel's weight is made up of glass, which accounts for 75.0% of the weight of solar panels and other solar power system components. The glass recycling industry is already well-established. Glass cullet is a raw material for processing, or synthetic silica sand in place of natural sand that is rounded at the corners. A standard panel is composed of several parts, the first of which is an aluminum alloy frame with a layer of tempered glass placed on top. Two sheets of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) with the semiconductor (Al) included make the following layer. The bottom, or the standard white plastic back sheet of solar modules, comes last.

Regional Outlook

The global solar panel recycling market is further segmented based on geography including North America (the US, and Canada), Europe (UK, Italy, Spain, Germany, France, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, China, Japan, South Korea, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and the Rest of the World (the Middle East & Africa, and Latin America).

Increasing Demand for Solar Panel Recycling in Europe

• The regional growth is attributed to the growing adoption of solar panel recycling with rising demand for environment-friendly and sustainable practices in the renewable energy sector. According to the European Environment Agency, in April 2024, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive includes targets for the recovery and recycling/preparing for reuse of photovoltaic panels, the only green energy technology. Recovering 85.0% of the collected PV panel waste and reusing/recycling 80.0% of it from 2018 onwards. However, 6 of the 12 countries that reported this data met this target in 2021.
• According to the American Chemical Society, in May 2022, in the European Union (EU), legislation requires PV manufacturers to recycle waste panels and recover at least 80.0% of their mass, an effort largely organized through an industry consortium called PV Cycle.

North America Holds Major Market Share

Among all the regions, North America holds a significant share owing to numerous prominent solar panel recycling companies such as Canadian Solar Inc., First Solar, Inc., We Recycle Solar, and solar panel recycling providers in the region. The growth is mainly attributed to the increasing adoption of crystalline-silicon solar technology for recycling solar panels with an aluminum frame, glass, copper wire, polymer layers, back sheet, silicon solar cells, and a plastic junction box. Many of these components can be recycled. Glass composes most of the weight of a solar panel and glass recycling is already a well-established industry. According to the US Environment Protection Agency (EPA), in June 2023, by 2030, the cumulative value of recoverable raw materials from end-of-life panels globally will be about $450.0 million, which is equivalent to the cost of raw materials currently needed to produce about 60.0 million new panels. Diverting solar panels from landfills to recycling saves space in landfills in addition to capturing the value of the raw materials.

The major companies serving the global solar panel recycling market include Aurubis AG, Canadian Solar Inc., First Solar, Inc., Sharp Corp., and Veolia Environnement S.A. among others. The market players are increasingly focusing on business expansion and product development by applying strategies such as collaborations, mergers, and acquisitions to stay competitive in the market. For instance, in April 2024, Sol Systems and SOLARCYCLE collaborated to recycle solar panels, ensuring greener solar solutions. The collaboration has already successfully executed two work orders on distinct projects, demonstrating Sol Systems' commitment to addressing the environmental impact of solar panel disposal. Further, in February 2024, Collect and Recycle launched the solar panel recycling service. The new recycling service for businesses looking to dispose of solar panels. The team collects bulk quantities of solar panels nationwide, offering businesses an efficient and environmentally sound service to recycle their waste. The solar panel recycling service is designed to support businesses in responsibly managing their end-of-life solar panels in the UK.