What is the lifetime of solar panels and how are they recycled?

As solar energy continues to revolutionize the global energy landscape, businesses and households are increasingly investing in photovoltaic (PV) systems. However, two key questions often arise: What is the lifetime of solar panels? And how are they recycled at the end of their lifecycle? As a professional solar panel recycling machine supplier, DOING Group provides you with a more detailed introduction.

Most solar panels are designed to last 25-30 years, but their actual service life depends on factors such as material quality, environmental conditions and maintenance. The efficiency of solar panels gradually decreases over time due to the influence of ultraviolet rays, temperature fluctuations and weather. During the use process, maintenance is necessary, but there are still a large number of waste photovoltaic panels that need to be processed.

Discarded solar photovoltaic panels

According to statistics, by 2050, there will be more than 78 million tons of solar panel waste that needs to be recycled worldwide. As global pioneers in photovoltaic applications, Germany, Japan and the United States are expected to generate millions of tons of solar photovoltaic waste. Solar panels contain glass, aluminum and a small amount of heavy metals such as lead. Recycling these solar panels can reduce landfill. In addition, valuable materials can be recovered from solar panels, such as recycled silicon, silver and copper can be used to manufacture new solar panels or electronic products.

Recyclable materials from solar panels

Professional solar panel recycling machine can efficiently separate and process valuable materials from waste solar panels. DOING Group solar panel recycling uses advanced processes to safely extract and reuse materials. DOING solar panel recycling machine uses physical crushing and sorting methods to efficiently complete recycling without polluting the environment. Our solar panel recycling process usually includes the following steps:

1. Disassembly

The frame aluminum and junction box of the solar panel are first removed and processed separately, and then the EVA film is decomposed by heat treatment to separate the glass. This process requires the use of professional equipment, such as frame removers and glass removers, to separate the aluminum frame, glass and cells from the photovoltaic panel. The aluminum frame and glass can be directly recycled and sold, while the solar cells need further processing.

Photovoltaic solar panel disassembly machine

2. Crushing

After the solar panel is disassembled, the separated solar cells are then crushed and ground. The purpose of crushing and pulverizing is to separate the silicon and other materials in the cell. Crushing equipment usually uses high-speed rotating blades or hammers to break the solar cells into small pieces.

3. Material separation

After crushing, the photovoltaic panel materials enter a multi-stage sorting process to separate plastics and recover precious metals such as silicon and copper, ultimately achieving a material recovery rate of 98%. According to the nature and use of the materials, they can be divided into various types such as silicon, metals and non-metals. Silicon separation can be achieved by physical methods, including screening, magnetic separation, etc. For metal and non-metal materials, mechanical separation can be used for processing.

Solar panel crushing and sorting process

This solar photovoltaic panel recycling machine is automatically controlled by PLC system. The processing capacity includes 500kg/h, 1000kg/h, 2000kg/h, etc. To meet the growing demand for sustainable solar panel waste management, DOING Group provides companies and recyclers with tailored recycling solutions: efficient material crushing, sorting and extraction equipment, and systems that can be customized to your needs.

As solar energy applications continue to grow, recycling infrastructure must also expand. Governments are introducing regulations to force the recycling of solar panels, creating opportunities for companies to invest in sustainable practices. By working with innovative companies like DOING Group, companies can turn scrapped solar panels into valuable resources while contributing to a greener planet.

Whether you are a solar farm operator, installer or recycler, DOING Group's advanced solar panel recycling machine ensures efficient, compliant and profitable solar panel recycling. If you are interested in recycling scrapped photovoltaic panels, please contact DOING Group.