What happens when solar panels die?

Solar panel waste is increasing as global capacity grows. Panels can last 30 years but are often discarded earlier. Currently, only 10% are recycled, with most ending up in landfills.

Recycling is challenging due to complex composition and lack of standardized processes. Mechanical recycling recovers glass and metals, but valuable materials are often lost. New regulations and methods are being developed to address these issues.

Efforts to create more recyclable panels are underway, but urgent solutions are needed for the wave of panels from the early 2010s.