When it comes to solar panels, you can’t just toss them in the dumpster. Solar panels contain valuable materials like silver, copper, and silicon—but they also contain potentially toxic metals like lead and cadmium. Improper disposal can lead to fines in many areas, and landfills often won’t accept them anyway.
So what do you do with old solar panels? We’ll walk you through several options, from manufacturer takeback programs to certified recycling centers, so you can dispose of your panels responsibly and legally.
Your Solar Panel Disposal Options
Option 1: Sell or Donate Working Panels
If your panels still generate electricity—even at reduced efficiency—don’t recycle them yet. Working panels have value in secondary markets.
Where to sell used solar panels:
- Online marketplaces (Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay)
- Solar resellers who specialize in used equipment
- Off-grid enthusiasts building small systems
- RV and van conversion communities
Even panels operating at 70-80% of original capacity work perfectly fine for off-grid cabins, RV setups, or DIY projects. You’ll typically recover $20-$50 per panel, depending on wattage and condition.
Donation options:
- Schools and universities for educational programs
- Nonprofits working on energy access projects
- Community gardens and urban farms
- Habitat for Humanity and similar organizations
Donating gives you a potential tax deduction while keeping functional equipment in use. Contact local organizations directly to see if they accept solar panel donations.
Option 2: Manufacturer Takeback Programs
Many solar panel manufacturers now offer takeback or recycling programs, especially for panels sold in the last 15 years. These programs make disposal simple—the manufacturer handles everything from pickup to recycling.
Major manufacturers with takeback programs:
- SunPower: Accepts panels for recycling, often at no cost to original customers
- First Solar: Operates dedicated recycling facilities for their thin-film panels
- REC Group: Provides recycling recommendations and may accept returns
- Sungrow: Offers guidance on proper disposal for their equipment
Contact your panel manufacturer directly, even if they’re not listed here. Many companies launched takeback initiatives in recent years as part of sustainability commitments.
What to provide when contacting manufacturers:
- Panel model and serial numbers (found on the back)
- Original purchase date if available
- Number of panels you’re disposing of
- Your location for shipping logistics
Some manufacturers only accept their own brands, while others partner with broader recycling networks that handle multiple manufacturers.
Option 3: Certified Recycling Facilities
If your manufacturer doesn’t offer takeback or you bought panels from a company that’s no longer in business, certified recycling centers are your next best option.
National solar recycling companies:
- SOLARCYCLE (Odessa, TX): Accepts panels from across the U.S., recovers 95% of materials
- Recycle PV Solar (Nevada): Nationwide service, offers payment for working panels
- We Recycle Solar: Multi-state operations, commercial and residential
- Cleanlites Recycling: E-waste facilities that accept solar panels
How to find local recycling options:
Search the EPA’s recycling facility database for solar panel recyclers in your area. Many general e-waste recycling facilities now accept solar panels alongside computers and electronics.
Call your city or county solid waste department. They can direct you to approved facilities and may offer household hazardous waste collection events where you can drop off panels.
Check with your solar installer. Most installers maintain relationships with recycling partners and can provide referrals or even handle the recycling coordination for you.
Expect to pay $15-$50 per panel at most recycling facilities. Some facilities waive fees for large quantities or if you’re a previous customer. Transportation costs are extra unless the facility offers pickup service.
Option 4: Professional Junk Removal Services
If you want someone else to handle every step—from removing panels from your roof to ensuring they reach a proper recycling facility—hire a junk removal company.
Some companies will handle the solar panel disposal process from start to finish. They’ll remove the panels, transport them, and deliver them to certified recycling facilities.
Pros: No physical labor, no research required, everything handled for you
Cons: Most expensive option, pricing based on volume and labor
This option makes sense if you’re also doing other cleanup projects, replacing your entire system at once, or physically unable to transport panels yourself.
The Solar Panel Recycling Process
Understanding what happens to your panels after you drop them off can help you feel confident you’re making the right choice.
- Panels arrive at recycling facility
- Sorted by type (crystalline silicon vs. thin-film)
- Electrical components removed (junction boxes, wiring)
- Aluminum frames separated
- Thermal method: Heat applied to loosen polymer adhesive layers
- Mechanical method: Panels crushed or shredded
- Glass separated from silicon cells and internal wiring
Chemical & electrical processes extract valuable metals:
- Silver: Used in new electronics and solar cells
- Silicon: Purified for new photovoltaic wafers
- Tin, Lead, Copper: Various manufacturing applications
- Rare materials: Gallium, indium (in thin-film panels)
Recovered materials sold to manufacturers worldwide
Some materials return to new solar panel production
Up to 95% of panel weight recovered and reused
Creates sustainable closed-loop system for solar industry
The entire process takes 2-4 weeks from drop-off to final material recovery, depending on the facility’s capacity and processing schedule.
The Importance of Solar Panel Disposal
Solar panels are classified as electronic waste in most jurisdictions. That puts them in the same category as old computers, TVs, and smartphones—materials that require special handling due to their component mix.
About 75% of a solar panel’s weight is glass, which is easily recyclable. Another 10% is aluminum framing, also highly recyclable. But the remaining materials include silicon cells, copper wiring, polymer layers, and small amounts of metals that can be harmful if they leach into soil and groundwater.
Here’s what happens if solar panels end up in landfills: the protective polymer layers break down over time, potentially releasing lead, cadmium, selenium, and other metals into the environment. While the risk from a single panel is low, the International Renewable Energy Agency projects that by 2050, the United States could generate up to 10 million tons of solar panel waste. That volume makes proper disposal critical.
The good news? Advanced recycling facilities can now recover over 90% of the materials in solar panels, turning them into raw materials for new panels and other products. Recycling isn’t just environmentally responsible—it’s becoming economically viable as the industry scales up.
State-Specific Regulations to Know
While there’s no federal law specifically governing solar panel disposal yet, several states have enacted their own regulations. Here’s what you need to know:
California classifies end-of-life solar panels as universal waste as of 2021. This classification makes it easier to recycle panels through the state’s 400+ universal waste handlers. Panels with hazardous materials cannot go to regular landfills—they require verification as non-hazardous (costing $1,500+) or must be recycled.
Washington State requires manufacturers to finance takeback and recycling programs for panels sold after July 2017. The Photovoltaic Module Stewardship and Takeback Program launched in 2023, making Washington the national leader in solar panel extended producer responsibility. Manufacturers can’t sell panels in Washington without an approved stewardship plan.
North Carolina requires solar panels containing heavy metals to be disposed of as hazardous waste. This includes older panels with hexavalent chromium, lead, cadmium, or arsenic. State officials are currently studying utility-scale solar decommissioning requirements.
New Jersey created a Solar Panel Recycling Commission to study end-of-life management and is expected to issue recommendations for new policies.
Most other states follow general federal hazardous waste regulations under RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act). Panels must be tested or evaluated to determine if they qualify as hazardous waste based on their metal content.
Important: Regulations change frequently. The EPA is expected to propose federal universal waste classification for solar panels in 2025-2026, which would standardize disposal requirements nationwide. Check your state’s environmental agency website for current requirements before disposing of panels.
Can Solar Panels Go in Landfills?
The short answer: it depends on your location and the panel composition.
Most landfills won’t accept solar panels without testing to verify they’re non-hazardous. Some states explicitly ban solar panels from landfills. Even where landfilling is technically legal, it’s the least responsible option.
Recycling costs about $15-$50 per panel. Landfilling costs $1-$3 per panel in areas that accept them. The price difference explains why many panels historically ended up in landfills, but growing regulations and environmental concerns are changing that calculus.
From a purely environmental perspective, landfilling wastes 95% of recoverable materials. A single solar panel contains about $3-$5 worth of recyclable materials. Multiply that across millions of panels, and the economic opportunity becomes clear.
What About Other Solar Equipment?
Don’t forget the rest of your solar power system. When you replace panels, you may also need to dispose of:
Inverters: These can typically be recycled with general electronic waste. They contain circuit boards and metal components similar to computers.
Racking and mounting hardware: Aluminum and steel racking systems are highly valuable scrap metal. Contact local scrap metal recyclers or include them when recycling your panels.
Battery storage systems: If your solar system includes batteries, these require separate disposal. Lithium-ion batteries have dedicated recycling streams. Never throw batteries in regular trash or mix them with panel recycling.
Most solar recycling companies accept all system components, not just panels. Mention your full system when getting quotes for recycling services.
Common Disposal Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t assume your installer will handle it. Some solar installation companies offer removal and recycling as a paid service, but it’s not automatic. Ask about their end-of-life services when replacing your system.
Don’t wait too long. Damaged panels sitting in your yard or garage can break down and become harder to recycle. Handle disposal within a few months of removal.
Don’t mix panel types. Crystalline silicon panels and thin-film panels have different recycling processes. Keep them separated if you have both types.
Don’t skip documentation. Save any receipts or certificates from your recycling facility. Some jurisdictions require proof of proper disposal, and you may need documentation for tax purposes if you donated working panels.
Don’t try to disassemble panels yourself. Solar panels contain sealed components and potentially hazardous materials. Leave disassembly to certified recycling professionals.
Planning for Future Panel Disposal
If you’re installing new solar panels now, plan for their end-of-life today:
Ask your installer about disposal. Some companies include end-of-life recycling in their service packages or can recommend certified recyclers.
Check manufacturer warranties. A few manufacturers are beginning to include recycling credits or takeback guarantees in their extended warranties.
Budget for disposal costs. Set aside $20-$50 per panel in a maintenance fund so you’re prepared when replacement time comes in 25-30 years.
Keep all documentation. Save your panel specifications, serial numbers, and purchase records. This information makes recycling coordination much easier decades later.
Stay informed on regulations. Solar disposal laws are evolving quickly. Sign up for your state environmental agency’s email updates to know when new requirements take effect.
Final Thoughts
Getting rid of old solar panels isn’t as simple as hauling them to the curb, but you have several good options depending on whether your panels still work and what services are available in your area.
For working panels, sell or donate them to extend their useful life. For dead panels, contact your manufacturer first to see if they offer takeback programs. If not, use a certified recycling facility or professional junk removal service.
The solar recycling industry is growing fast, with new facilities opening and costs dropping as the volume of end-of-life panels increases. What feels difficult now will become much more streamlined in the coming years as regulations standardize and infrastructure expands.
Your panels generated clean energy for decades. Disposing of them responsibly completes the sustainability circle and ensures their materials power the next generation of solar technology.
