PV Recycling: Your Solar Panel Recycling Experts
We specialise in collecting and recycling solar panel waste for various sectors across the UK.
Our Commercial Solar Panel Recycling Services
Solar Panel Recycling
of panels for solar power
from businesses nationwide.
Solar Inverter Recycling
be recycled effectively with our specialist help.
Solar Panel Recycling UK
At PV Recycling, we specialise in solar panel recycling for businesses across the UK. We provide efficient collections and recycling services tailored to businesses managing solar panel waste. This includes manufacturers, distributors, solar panel installers, and electrical companies. The waste collected is transported to authorised treatment facilities through our processing partners throughout the UK and Europe.
Our Commitment to a Circular Economy
We are driven by a deep commitment to sustainability and the principles of a circular economy. We believe that the future of energy lies in the integration of renewable resources and innovative recycling processes.
Our mission is to ensure that solar panels, which play a crucial role in harnessing clean energy, do not end up as waste. The materials, such as silicon cells, are instead recycled and repurposed for a sustainable future. Your waste will then be reintroduced into the manufacturing cycle, ensuring a circular approach.
Our Core Values
Sustainability
We prioritise environmental stewardship by ensuring that solar panels are responsibly recycled, reducing waste and conserving natural resources.
Compliance
We support businesses to ensure they are legally compliant and understand the importance of complying with the WEEE directive.
Innovation
We analyse innovative technologies and processes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our solar panel recycling service.
Integrity
We operate with transparency and honesty, adhering to the highest ethical standards in all our business practices.
The Solar Panel Disposal Service
Contact Us To Discuss Your Requirements
Start by contacting us with your requirements for a customised quote. Please provide details about the volume and type of panel you need to recycle. We will then offer a competitive and transparent pricing plan tailored to your needs.
Book A Collection To Suit Your Specific Needs
Once the quote is approved, we will schedule a convenient time for our team to collect the solar panels. We provide a variety of different transportation options to suit your requirements. Our team will provide full duty of care documentation including a recycling certificate.
We Recycle Your Waste Into New Products
Panels that are beyond repair are transported to a state-of-the-art recycling facility. Here, the panels are dismantled and processed, recovering valuable materials. Through advanced recycling techniques, these are then remanufactured into new products, ensuring a full circular approach.
Compliance With The WEEE Directive
As a business, you are obligated by the WEEE directive to ensure your electrical waste is recycled effectively. With our help, we can support you in ensuring you are legally compliant, whilst acting sustainably.
Solar panels are defined as e-waste under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. We strictly adhere to these guidelines, ensuring that our PV panel recycling and disposal processes meet all regulatory requirements. This compliance guarantees that your electronic and hazardous materials are managed safely.
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What Are Solar Panels Made Of?
Photovoltaic (PV) panels are complex assemblies of several key components designed to convert sunlight into electricity. We collect various types, including thin film and silicon based panels.
Understanding the materials and construction of these panels helps in appreciating their functionality, efficiency, and the recycling processes involved. Here’s an overview of what panels are made of to produce solar energy:
- Silicon Wafers
- Glass
- Encapsulant
- Metal Frame
- Backsheet
- Conductors and Connectors
- Adhesives and Sealants
- Plastic Sheets
How Are Solar Panels Recycled?
Our passion for sustainability is reflected through our recycling methods, utilising human power to reduce energy consumption. Where possible, any of our recycling lines are human-first, removing electricity throughout our recycling processes.
The recycling of solar panels involves several stages, starting with the collection of your waste. Panels are then subjected to mechanical and chemical processes to separate and recover valuable materials. Silicon wafers, metals, and other components are extracted and repurposed, ensuring that as much of the solar panel as possible is recycled.
If the panels are beyond economic repair, then your waste will be taken through the recycling process.
The Benefits Of Solar Module Recycling
Recycling solar panels not only helps in waste management but also supports the broader goal of renewable energy. By recycling waste, we reduce the demand for raw materials, thereby conserving natural resources and reducing the environmental footprint of solar installations.
Solar panels typically last 25 years, although may reach up to 30 years. When disposing of solar panels at the end of their life traditionally, heavy prices can be incurred. By recycling and reusing your solar panels, you can save disposal costs whilst utilising a sustainable solution.
Solar Panel Waste Management
Our mission is to support sustainable practices within the solar industry by ensuring that no solar panel goes to waste. With years of experience in the recycling industry, we understand the complexities involved and are equipped with the latest technologies to handle any size task.
At PV Recycling, we can collect all types of solar panels including inverters and batteries. We also handle everything from silicon wafers and heavy metals, to the various chemical processes involved in solar panel disposal. Please get in touch with our team today by filling out the form on this page, and we will get back to you shorty with further information.
Our Testimonials
“As a solar installation company handling large volumes of solar panel waste, we needed a reliable partner to help us manage our waste sustainably. PV Recycling has provided efficient and hassle-free collection and recycling services, ensuring that our solar batteries and panels are disposed of responsibly”.
Operations Manager
“PV Recycling has allowed us to efficiently recycle valuable materials, significantly reducing our environmental impact. The team is knowledgeable and responsive. Partnering with them has enhanced our sustainability initiatives and strengthened our commitment to the environment”.
CEO
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions For Recycling PV Panels
How Hard Is It To Recycle Solar Panels?
Recycling solar panels is a complex process due to the intricate construction and various materials involved. The panels contain valuable components such as silicon wafers, glass, and metals, each requiring specific recycling techniques.
The process typically involves disassembling the panel, removing the aluminium frame and junction box, and then separating the glass and silicon wafers. Chemical and thermal processing methods are used to recover silicon and other valuable materials.
How Much Does It Cost To Recycle Solar Panels?
The cost of recycling solar panels varies depending on several factors, including the type of panels, the volume of waste, and the specific recycling methods employed. We offer competitive and transparent pricing tailored to the needs of our clients. For a detailed quote based on your specific requirements, please contact us.
How Much Of A Solar Panel Can Be Recycled?
A significant portion of a solar panel can be recycled, with current technologies enabling the recovery of approximately 85% to 95% of the materials. The glass used in solar panels can be recovered and reused at a rate of around 95%, while the aluminium frames and other metals can be nearly 100% recycled.
Silicon wafers can be recovered at an approximate rate of 85% to 95%. Although the encapsulants and backsheets are more challenging to recycle, ongoing research aims to improve their recovery rates. We are committed to maximising the recycling rate of each component, contributing to sustainable resource management.
Are Solar Panels Hazardous Waste?
Solar panels are WEEE waste, however contain materials that can be hazardous if not managed properly. This includes heavy metals such as lead and cadmium, and various chemicals used in their manufacture.