Please note!

This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.

Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

FACT BRIEF

Are solar panels easy to recycle?

Wednesday, August 5, 2020

By Allegra Taylor

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Recycling solar panels remains a looming challenge to avoid creating another major source of waste. Solar panels are the most visible part of the photovoltaic systems that have become widespread on rooftops and in larger-scale installations in recent years. As current systems reach the end of their useful lives--up to 30 years--the industry is working to solve a series of recycling challenges.

Current recycling methods are expensive and require complex machinery. Most countries have yet to establish regulations governing solar-power systems, raising the prospect of an estimated 78 million metric tons of global solar panel waste by 2050. In comparison, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, in 2017 the U.S. recycled 67 million tons of household trash.

This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.

Sources

Ensia: Solar panel recycling

Science Direct: Overview of solar panel material recycling

Intechopen: A review of solar panel recycling processes

CED Greentech: Can solar panels be recycled?

EPA: Materials, waste and recycling figures

ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR

Gigafact

Between 2020 and 2022, under close editorial supervision, Gigafact contracted a group of freelance writers and editors to test the concepts for fact briefs and provide inputs to our software development process. We call this effort Gigafact Foundry. Over the course of these two years, Gigafact Foundry writers published over 1500 fact briefs in response to claims they found online. Their important work forms the basis of Gigafact formats and editorial guidelines, and is available to the public on Gigafact.org. Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of relevant information to be found, not all fact briefs produced by Gigafact Foundry reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date and need to be looked at with fresh eyes, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.

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About fact briefs published on Gigafact

Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.