Solar Panel Recycling Market expected to reach USD 0.952 billion by 2030
Solar Panel Recycling Market Trends & Forecast
According to a research study published by Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence (KSI), the solar panel recycling market will expand from USD 0.304 billion in 2025 to USD 0.952 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 25.60% during the forecast period.
The increasing adoption of solar panels in the midst of the renewable energy wave, together with the high recycling value of recoverable materials from disposed of solar panels, are key factors fueling the solar panel recycling market expansion. Also, the hazardous waste composition and easy recycling of the major components in a solar panel are key proponents of the market growth. By the year 2050, the United States is said to have the largest quantity of disassembled panels, second only to China, with an estimated total weight estimated at 10 million clip tons. Globally, there was an overall increase of about 50% for all kinds of sources that produce renewable forms of energy, and for most regions, including Europe and the USA.
Moreover, the quick pace at which solar panel waste is being generated is expected to expand the requirements for solar panel recycling, in this manner accelerating the market development. Additionally, to enhance the market size during the forecast period, government regulations as well as policies on waste from solar panels will still be potential drivers.
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Solar Panel Recycling Market Report Highlights
- The solar panel recycling market is segmented into silicon-based and thin film-based panels. Among these, silicon-based panels dominate the market owing to their widespread use in solar energy projects worldwide, accounting for nearly 90–95% of all installations. The higher adoption rate, longer lifecycle, and extensive deployment in residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar projects make silicon-based panels the leading category for recycling demand. Thin film-based panels, though gaining some traction due to their lightweight design and cost-effectiveness, represent a smaller share but are expected to grow steadily as technology adoption increases.
- Based on material, the market is divided into glass, metal, and others. Glass emerges as the dominant sub-segment, since it makes up nearly 70% of the total weight of a solar panel. Recycling glass is cost-effective, widely practiced, and supports the circular economy approach in renewable energy. Metals, including aluminum, copper, and silver, hold significant value due to their role in enhancing the efficiency of photovoltaic systems, thus making their recovery a key revenue driver in recycling. The other category comprises plastics and other minor components, which, while less valuable, are increasingly targeted by recycling technologies to minimize landfill waste and improve sustainability.
- Owing to rising knowledge about renewable sources for industry as well as trade, there is a significant increase in demand for solar panels in North America. Furthermore, the region is home to emerging technologies which has led to an expanded pace of adoption of advanced solar technology and recycled panels. Further, the government regulations in the United States, as well as Canada, aimed at allaying environmental concerns, have contributed to a significant change towards the utilization of renewable sources of energy.
Report Coverage:
| Report Metric | Details |
| Solar Panel Recycling Market Size in 2025 | US$0.304 billion |
| Solar Panel Recycling Market Size in 2030 | US$0.952 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 25.60% |
| Drivers |
|
| Restraints |
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| Segmentation |
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| List of Major Companies in Solar Panel Recycling Market |
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Solar Panel Recycling Market Growth Drivers and Restraints
Growth Drivers:
- Recyclable monetary value, ease of raw material recyclability, and government policies: One of the most important factors that would boost future market growth is the high resale value of used solar panels and recycled raw materials. Further, most of the weight of solar panels, or 75% of the total weight, is made from glass, which is already an established industry in terms of recycling. Also, as per IRENA data Cumulative waste volumes (early-loss scenario) of the top five countries for end-of-life PV panels in 2050. This shows that there will be an increase in the recycling of PV panel waste to cope with this increase, and will show a rise in the solar panel recycling market in the coming years.
Furthermore, since past governments have ensured that all regulations regarding solar panels recycling, hazardous waste disposal have been implemented properly, CSR just like global companies has grown tremendously in the entire market. In USA such as Washington there was on July 1st 2023 a law enacted which requires photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturers within this jurisdiction to finance any recycling programs related to their products.
- Rising utilization of silicon-based solar panels: Silicon is the fundamental element used in solar panels and this is why they are preferred. Most photovoltaic cells have silicone semiconductors as a result of their unique mixture of features. They also have a low density-to-weight ratio and long life cycles thus can provide sustainable energy for long periods. These reasons act as catalysts for the swift proliferation of such solar technologies within societies.
Moreover, besides recovering useful materials from end-of-life panels, ROSI established a patented process of reintroducing them into diverse industries such as solar and semiconductor manufacturing. Additionally, in September 2023, Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a productive process for extracting high-purity silicon from solar panels that have expired, enabling the production of lithium-ion batteries that may help fulfil the growing demand for electric vehicles worldwide. The bulk of solar cells are made of high-purity silicon, but after 25 to 30 years of operation, they are usually thrown away.
Restraints:
- Economic Viability Challenges: The major hurdles that are hindering the global market of recycled solar panels are the economic viability and cost-effectiveness of recycling processes. Despite the increasing significance of recycling used solar cells, serious financial constraints can significantly impede market growth.
Solar Panel Recycling Market Key Development
- Product Launch: In June 2025, Hanwha Solutions Qcells Division (Hanwha Qcells), a global leader in complete clean energy solutions, announced the launch of EcoRecycle by Qcells, a new vertical for the company in solar panel recycling.
- Company Partnership: In March 2025, Waste Experts and City Electrical Factors (CEF) are announced a groundbreaking exclusive partnership with ROSI, a French innovator in solar panel recycling.
Solar Panel Recycling Market Segmentation
Knowledge Sourcing Intelligence has segmented the Solar Panel Recycling Market based on panel type, material, and region:
Solar Panel Recycling Market, By Panel Type
- Silicon-based
- Thin film-based
Solar Panel Recycling Market, By Material
- Glass
- Metal
- Others
Solar Panel Recycling Market, By Region
- North America
- USA
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe
- UK
- Germany
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- Others
- Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Thailand
- Indonesia
- Others
- South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Others
- Middle East and Africa (MEA)
- Saudi Arabia
- UAE
- Others
Solar Panel Recycling Market Key Players
- Recycle Solar Technologies Ltd.
- First Solar
- Veolia
- We Recycle Solar
- Cleanites Recycling
- NPC Incorporated
- Rinovasol
- Ecoactiv
- JA Solar Co., Ltd.
- SunPower Corporation (TotalEnergies)
- Trina Solar
- Silicontel
- Reiling Group
- Yingli Solar
- Etavolt
