Solar Panel Recycling Market Projected to Reach $1.12 Billion by 2030
Growing volumes of end-of-life solar panels, stricter waste regulations and advances in material recovery are expected to drive market expansion.
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 compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5% during the forecast period. Increasing numbers of decommissioned solar panels, environmental concerns and regulatory requirements for photovoltaic waste management are creating demand for recycling solutions.
End-of-Life Solar Panels Drive Recycling Demand
According to the report, 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, market growth is being supported by environmental, economic and regulatory factors.
As the global solar industry expands, increasing numbers of panels are reaching the end of their operational lifespans. The resulting volume of outdated and decommissioned panels creates a need for waste management solutions that can reduce landfill disposal and the risk of environmental contamination.
Governments worldwide are also introducing regulations and standards aimed at ensuring the responsible recycling and disposal of photovoltaic panels. These measures are expected to support demand for specialised recycling services and technologies.
North America Expected to Be the Fastest-Growing Region
North America is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the solar panel recycling market, supported by increasing awareness of sustainable waste management and a stronger focus on the circular economy among governments and businesses.
In the United States and Canada, stricter regulations governing electronic and photovoltaic waste in various jurisdictions are encouraging the development of local recycling facilities.
Recycling companies in the region are also advancing technologies to improve material recovery efficiency and make recycling more cost-effective. In addition, collaborations between private-sector recyclers and solar project developers are contributing to market growth.
Recent Industry Developments
Recent partnerships and agreements highlight efforts to expand solar panel recycling capacity and recover materials for reuse.
- May 2025: SOLARCYCLE entered into a Recycling Services Agreement with RWE Clean Energy. The agreement provides for the recycling of solar panels from multiple RWE solar projects at the end of their operational lives.
- March 2025: ROSI partnered with Waste Experts and City Electrical Factors (CEF) to promote solar panel recycling in the United Kingdom. The initiative aims to address the growing challenge of responsibly disposing of end-of-life solar panels in the renewable energy industry.
- October 2024: Runergy Alabama Inc., described in the report as one of the largest solar module manufacturers in the United States, entered into a partnership with SOLARCYCLE. Under the agreement, SOLARCYCLE will supply at least 4 gigawatts, or 30 million square metres, of high-quality glass manufactured partly from recycled solar panels over five years.
- September 2024: Canadian Solar partnered with SOLARCYCLE, becoming one of the first crystalline silicon solar module manufacturers to offer a full recycling process to customers in the United States. SOLARCYCLE serves as Canadian Solar’s sole recycling and sustainability partner under the agreement.
- September 2024: HELIENE, Inc. partnered with SOLARCYCLE through a multi-year purchase agreement for domestic glass derived from recycled solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.
Market Outlook
The projected growth of the solar panel recycling market reflects the increasing need to manage photovoltaic waste as solar installations expand and existing panels reach the end of their useful lives. Recycling technologies, material recovery initiatives and partnerships between manufacturers, recyclers and solar project developers are emerging as important parts of the industry's response.
Source: Solar Panel Recycling Market – Global Forecast to 2030 market research report.