Solar Panel Recycling Market Projected to Reach $1.12 Billion by 2030
Market value expected to rise from USD 0.39 billion in 2024 to USD 1.12 billion by 2030 at a 19.5% CAGR
The global solar panel recycling market is projected to grow from USD 0.39 billion in 2024 to USD 1.12 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 19.5% during the forecast period. The market report, titled “Solar Panel Recycling Market by Type (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline), Shelf Life (Early Loss, Normal Loss), Process (Mechanical, Hybrid), Material (Silicon, Metal, Plastic, Glass) - Global Forecast to 2030,” covers key segments across solar panel recycling.
The projected market growth is linked to the increasing installation of solar panels worldwide and the resulting need to manage panels reaching the end of their operational life. The report identifies developments in environmental regulations, sustainability mandates and circular economy practices as factors affecting demand for solar panel recycling services.
Trends and disruptions shaping the market
Solar power operators and installation companies are among the customers of solar panel recycling providers, while end-of-life panels from residential, commercial, and utility projects represent the target sources for recycling.
Changes including stricter environmental regulations, increasing sustainability mandates and greater awareness of circular economy practices are expected to affect the revenues of end users. Changes in end-user revenues, in turn, influence demand for recycling services and subsequently affect the revenues of solar panel recycling companies.
Recent developments in solar panel recycling
The solar panel recycling sector has seen several partnerships and agreements involving recycling companies, solar manufacturers and energy companies.
May 2025: SOLARCYCLE and RWE Clean Energy
SOLARCYCLE entered into a Recycling Services Agreement with RWE Clean Energy in May 2025. The agreement permits and ensures the recycling of solar panels from the multiple RWE solar projects at the end of operational life.
March 2025: ROSI expands UK recycling partnership
In March 2025, ROSI entered into a partnership with Waste Experts and City Electrical Factors (CEF) to promote solar panel recycling in the UK. The plan addresses the growing problem of responsibly disposing of end-of-life solar panels in the renewable energy industry.
October 2024: Runergy Alabama partners with SOLARCYCLE
Runergy Alabama Inc., one of the largest solar module manufacturers in the US, entered into an official partnership with SOLARCYCLE in October 2024.
Under the agreement, SOLARCYCLE will deliver at least 4 gigawatts, or 30 million square meters, of high-quality glass manufactured partly from recycled solar panels over the next five years.
September 2024: Canadian Solar partners with SOLARCYCLE
Canadian Solar partnered with SOLARCYCLE in September 2024, becoming one of the first crystalline silicon solar module manufacturers to offer a full recycling process to customers in the United States.
Under the agreement, SOLARCYCLE serves as the sole recycling and sustainability partner for Canadian Solar.
September 2024: HELIENE signs multi-year agreement
HELIENE, Inc. entered into a partnership with SOLARCYCLE in September 2024, committing to a multi-year purchase agreement for domestic glass derived from recycled solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.