Inside the PV recycling black box

How PV modules are treated at the end of their life is an increasingly important issue, but some recycling practices leave a lot to be desired. Scott Azevedo from Intertek CEA explores how asking the right questions, paying closer attention to end-of-life treatment, and steering volume toward good recyclers can have positive long-term consequences for the solar industry.

By

pv magazine

05 Feb 2026

Markets & Policy

Not all recycling is created equal. Committed operators such as Solar Recovery Corp. in Australia have developed techniques to extract almost all materials from solar panels, but others continue to divert usable material to landfill. | Photo: Solar Recovery Corporation

There is a familiar pattern at the end of a PV module’s life. A project gets repowered, decommissioned, or damaged by a natural disaster. The operator hires a recycler. A truck arrives, stacks of modules get loaded, a bill of lading is signed and everyone breathes a small sigh of relief. In the project file, …

This article is part of pv+

Subscribe digitally to unlock exclusive investigative reporting, expert insights, in-depth analysis, and premium background coverage. Your subscription also includes full access to the digital edition of our magazine.