Your cart is currently empty!
Solar Panel Recycling
Recycling Solar PV Panels Responsibly
As solar energy continues to gain momentum as a leading green energy source across the UK, Olital Recycling is committed to ensuring that end-of-life solar panels are managed responsibly. Our first priority is to assess every panel we collect for the potential to repair and reuse.
Extending the life of solar panels through refurbishment not only reduces waste but also supports the wider adoption of renewable energy by making affordable, second-life panels available.
Only when a panel is beyond repair do we proceed to dismantle it for raw material recovery. In these cases, we carefully separate valuable components such as glass, aluminium, and silicon, ensuring they are recycled safely and sustainably. Recycling is our last resortโreuse is our mission.
By choosing Olital Recycling, youโre helping create a circular future for solar technology that benefits both the environment and future generations.
Why Responsible Solar Panel Disposal Matters
Recycling solar panels offers a range of environmental benefits, starting with the need for a sustainable solution for panels that have reached the end of their photovoltaic (PV) lifespan. In many cases, panels are removed not because theyโve failed, but because theyโve been upgraded due to advances in solar technology. These older panels often still have years of functional life left.
At Olital Recycling, we prioritise repairing, refurbishing, and rehoming solar panels wherever possibleโgiving them a second life and making solar energy more accessible and affordable. When reuse isnโt viable, we responsibly recycle the panels, recovering valuable materials like glass, aluminium, and silicon for reprocessing and reuse. This approach supports a circular economy, reduces environmental impact, and helps conserve natural resources.
For solar installers and engineers, the cost of disposing of panels can quickly become a significant overhead. Under the WEEE Directive, solar panels are classified as specialist waste and must be handled and processed according to strict regulations. At Olital Recycling, we offer a compliant and cost-effective solution by taking unwanted or surplus panels off your handsโreducing disposal expenses and helping to streamline your operations. By cutting costs throughout the recycling process, we can ultimately help make solar projects more affordable for both you and your customers.
What Happens to End-of-Life Solar Panels?
When solar panels can no longer be reused or refurbished, Olital Recycling follows a detailed and compliant recycling process to recover as much material as possible from each unit:
- Initial Disassembly: The aluminium frame and cable connector block are carefully removed from the panel.
- Shredding and Crushing: Panels are cut into large sections before being passed through a hammer mill, which breaks them down into smaller fragmentsโtypically between 6mm and 10mmโto separate the bonded laminate layers.
- Chemical Separation: The semiconductor layers are then removed using a slow-rotating leach drum, a process that takes around 4 to 6 hours. A mixture of diluted sulphuric acid and hydrogen peroxide is added to extract the films from the glass by achieving the optimal solid-liquid ratio.
- Glass Recovery: Once the films are stripped, the glass fragments are separated from the liquid using a classifier separator. The material is then passed over a vibrating screen, which separates the clean glass from larger laminated components, such as Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA).
- Material Collection: The EVA is conveyed into a collection system, while the cleaned glass passes through a screen into a chute, where it is thoroughly washed to remove any remaining chemical residue.
- Metal Recovery: The rinse water, containing dissolved metals, is directed into a precipitation tank. Metals are recovered in three stages using sodium hydroxide to gradually increase the pH, causing the metals to precipitate. The resulting dense mixture is then processed further and refined into semiconductor-grade materials suitable for new solar modules.
Through this advanced recycling process, up to 90% of the glass and 95% of the semiconductor materials can be recovered and reused in the production of new solar PV panelsโsupporting a sustainable and circular approach to solar energy.
Why Olital?
Why Choose Olital Recycling?
Olital Recycling helps businesses cut waste and increase recycling with over 25 services. Non-recyclables go to waste-to-energy facilities, powering homes sustainably. We offer flexible, reliable collections using low-emission vehicles, with 99% on-time performance. Manage everything easily through your online account โ from ordering and reporting to downloading compliance certificates and carbon reports. Plus, our friendly support team is always here to help.
A Simple Efficient Service
To see what we can do you for you, just get in touch and let us know what youโd like to recycle.
Contact Us
Get in touch if you have any questions or queries and our team will get back to you within a few hours.
Location
Unit 6 Rectory Farm, St. Johns Road, Towcester, NN12 8AA
Phone
0330 223 7062
help@olitalrecycling.co.uk