The truth behind the end of a solar panel’s life

When picturing the future of sustainability, renewable energy often comes to mind. However, solar panels may not be all that sustainable — especially when they eventually die. 

Solar panels are the face of the green energy movement. They accounted for 54% of new electricity added to the United States electrical grid in 2023. But what happens when they hit the end of their efficient life and fade out? 

As interest in renewable energy rises, so does its waste. In Massachusetts, “based on an average 25-year panel lifespan, the amount of solar panels retired will reach about 6,500 tons annually by 2030, with a maximum annual tonnage of approximately 40,000 tons by 2050,” according to the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. 

“As the interest in renewable energy rises, so does its waste.”

All this waste has to go somewhere; the question is, are solar panels recyclable? The simple answer is yes, but the responsibility of properly recycling them lies with the owner of the solar panels. When they are properly recycled, a company takes them apart, removes the hazardous waste, sells any profitable materials, and recycles what’s left.
However, sending them to the dump is cheaper than hiring a company, so solar panels often end up oozing hazardous waste in landfills, ultimately reversing some of their positive environmental impacts.