Can solar panels be recycled? This is a very frequent question that our clients ask, because the environment is something that worries us.
For this reason, from Palquim Sun we want to provide some clues on this very important issue. We want our clients to hire a sustainable solar panel installer in Texas. As a result, our team has put together the key factors to consider when hiring a company that truly is sustainable, like us.
Can solar panels be recycled? Key factors
Yes. In fact, they can be recycled almost completely (85-90%) since the materials with which they are made –mainly glass (75%) and aluminum (9%)- are easily reusable.
Other components that make up the paper include silicon (3%), copper (1%), silver (0.16%), and a number of polymers that comprise the remaining 16%.
The process of recycling solar panels in Texas
Our experience confirms the data. Companies like Palquim Sun must collect tons of photovoltaic panels in Texas, from which a part is glass, metals, and plastic ready to be recycled.
After the adequate process, those materials are ready to be reintroduced into the production process for manufacturing new modules. For that, we consider that yes, solar panels can be recycled.
What about solar batteries?
Batteries are a bit of a special category. Currently, the leadership of the battery market is disputed between two fundamental types: lead acid batteries and lithium batteries. Put face to face, we found that lithium batteries -more modern, more expensive- offer greater efficiency and durability than lead batteries.
However, and perhaps because they have been on the market for longer, in the recycling section the roles change, and it is that the batteries that best manage their recycling are lead-acid batteries.
The figures do not lie: around 90 95% of the batteries that are recycled today are made of this material, and it is that the material of a lead battery can be recycled today almost 100%, which gives it of high commercial value. Other metals such as iron, cobalt or lithium -quite scarce- are also interesting for other industries.
Lithium recycling is key
Lithium batteries compensate for their low recycling rates -currently only around 5% of these devices are recycled and not in all countries- with the product’s own virtues, including its greater durability, with a useful life that It can reach 11-15 years. Lithium is a highly reactive element, which allows it to accumulate much more energy than other materials and, therefore, offer a service with a greater number of cycles and fewer capacity losses over the years.
Guaranteeing savings on the electricity bill, increasing one’s own energy independence and paving the way towards a sustainable energy model are the three main pillars of the energy transition towards renewables and the principles on which they are based.
How to tell if the solar panels I use can be recycled?
If you are concerned about the question of whether solar panels can be recycled, do not worry. We understand that offering you guarantees and commitment is part of our job.
For this reason, at Palquim Sun we offer you a team of experts in the installation of domestic solar panels in Texas. We study your needs and offer you a budget without commitment. In addition, we are happy to answer all your questions, so that you can verify for yourself the traceability of our products. that is transparency.
Can I recycle my solar panels after using them?
If you need to recycle your solar panels in Texas, we can provide you with specific information on the recycling process for your solar panels. If you assign us the renovation or maintenance of your installation, we will check the status of it and we will tell you when the panels have reached the end of their useful life.
Fortunately, today recycling solar panels is no longer a personal decision. There are Texas-wide regulations that determine how we must proceed to dispose of these materials. Thus, we make sure we comply with the regulations and be a truly sustainable company.
Contact us today for your free quote
Contact us and we will offer you advice on everything you need, including a detailed feasibility study of your photovoltaic installation that allows you to adjust it to what you really need. Our team will provide you with a tailor-made budget, and will answer any questions you may have about solar panels and their recycling.