Solarcycle Announces 5-GW Solar Panel Recycling Facility in Georgia

Expansion to Meet Growing Demand for Solar Panel Recycling
Solarcycle, a leading solar panel recycling company based in Mesa, Arizona, has revealed plans to build a state-of-the-art 5-gigawatt (GW) recycling facility in Cedartown, Georgia. This new facility will be located next to the company’s previously announced solar glass factory, set to produce specialized glass for crystalline-silicon (C-Si) photovoltaics. Together, the two facilities are expected to generate over 1,250 jobs once fully operational.

Recycling Plant to Process 10 Million Panels Annually
The Cedartown recycling facility will cover 255,000 square feet and have the capacity to process 10 million solar panels per year, or 25-30% of the U.S.’s retired solar panels by 2030. Initially, the plant will begin by recycling 2 million panels annually and ramp up production in response to growing demand for end-of-life solar services and U.S.-sourced solar materials. Solarcycle will recover valuable materials, including silver, copper, aluminum, silicon, and glass, which will be used in the production of new solar panels.

Next-Generation Recycling Process for Higher Efficiency
The Georgia plant will feature Solarcycle’s next-generation recycling technology, which is designed to recover up to 99% of photovoltaic materials. The process is specifically optimized for bifacial C-Si panels, which are becoming more common in the solar industry. The closed-loop recycling system is more scalable and efficient compared to existing solutions, enabling better mass recovery rates and higher-value material recovery.

Vertical Integration to Boost Efficiency and Sustainability
The Cedartown campus will integrate both recycling and solar glass manufacturing, creating a vertically integrated operation that reduces costs and energy consumption. Unlike competitors that downcycle glass into low-value products like road aggregate, Solarcycle recycles glass directly into new solar panels, ensuring a high-quality product with minimal environmental impact. The company’s focus on producing solar glass domestically also eliminates shipping and trade risks while reducing carbon emissions.

Strategic Partnerships and Investment
Solarcycle’s expansion is supported by a group of investors, including Microsoft, which recently joined as a strategic partner. Microsoft’s commitment to a circular economy and clean energy solutions aligns with Solarcycle’s mission to ensure sustainable solar panel production and recycling in the U.S. The new facility will contribute to meeting the demand for solar materials while supporting the broader transition to a net-zero economy.

Georgia’s Economic Growth and Solarcycle’s Impact
Governor Brian Kemp of Georgia has expressed support for the project, emphasizing the economic opportunities it will bring to northwest Georgia.
Solarcycle’s investment is part of a broader effort to position Georgia as a leader in emerging industries like renewable energy and sustainability. The company expects the Cedartown facility to be operational by mid-2025, with the glass factory coming online in 2026.