In a move to promote sustainability and address solar panel waste, SolarPanelRecycling.com (SPR) and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) have joined forces with Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. They have launched a residential solar panel recycling program. The initiative will make it easier for homeowners to recycle their end-of-life panels by offering convenient drop-off locations. This pilot program aims to set the stage for nationwide expansion. The solar panel recycling program could revolutionize how households manage their solar waste.

Addressing the Growing Need for Solar Panel Recycling

The collaboration between SPR and SEIA comes in response to increasing demand from residents eager to recycle their solar panels. SEIA, after fielding numerous calls from the public, sought out SPR, one of its certified photovoltaic recyclers. Together, they established a solar panel recycling program that would cater to the residential sector. SPR’s extensive network of collection points made it an ideal partner for the project.

North Carolina’s Mecklenburg County will serve as the flagship region for the program, running for six months. The goal is to collect valuable data on panel recycling, which will be used to expand the program to other areas in the future. SPR CEO Brett Henderson said that recycling the residential sector is often challenging due to the high costs of collecting individual panels. However, the program’s infrastructure will allow for efficient, cost-free recycling for residents, without adding extra carbon emissions.

The Path to a Circular Economy

The pilot program will use five drop-off locations in Mecklenburg County. These include SPR’s Salisbury headquarters, all of which are equipped for electronic waste collection. Abigail Ross Hopper, president of SEIA, emphasized the significance of such programs in building a circular economy. As more solar panels reach their end-of-life, recycling initiatives like this solar panel recycling program will help reduce waste. They will also increase the U.S. recycling capacity for decommissioned solar modules.

The initiative will allow Mecklenburg County residents to drop off their solar panels at the Compost Central Recycling Center in Charlotte. Additionally, more drop-off sites will be added in the coming weeks. The data collected, including recycling rates and landfill diversion statistics, will help inform future efforts. These efforts will aim to roll out similar programs nationwide.

Mecklenburg County’s solar waste director, Jeffrey Smithberger, said the partnership aligns with the county’s commitment to sustainable resource management. He expressed enthusiasm for providing an easy, efficient way for residents to recycle solar panels, further reducing landfill dependence. In doing so, the solar panel recycling program will effectively manage solar waste.

How to Participate in the Program

Mecklenburg County residents can drop off up to 10 solar panels at any of the designated drop-off locations. Those with more than 10 panels should contact the county’s solid waste department for assistance. For any questions about the solar panel recycling program for commercial panels, SPR has provided a direct contact at [email protected].