4 FAQs about Where are the remaining panels for photovoltaic projects

Do solar panels need to be recycled?

However, like any source of energy, there are associated wastes that need to be properly recycled or disposed of when solar panels reach their end of life. As the solar photovoltaic (PV) market grows, so will the volume of end-of-life panels. By 2030, the United States is expected to have as much as one million total tons of solar panel waste.

What are the different types of solar panels?

For more information on these and other solar panel waste projections, visit the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) report on end-of-life solar panel management. The two most common types of solar panels are crystalline-silicon and thin film solar panels. Crystalline-silicon solar PV represents over 95 percent of solar panels sold today.

How many TW of solar photovoltaic potential are there?

There is approximately 115 TW of solar photovoltaic potential in the U.S., which includes 1 TW on buildings, 27 TW on agricultural land, 2 TW on brownfields, and 2 TW for floating solar. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) conducts research to reduce the cost and impact of siting solar.

Is solar waste a problem after the end-of-life solar panels?

Due to rapid adoption and extensive use, this trend creates a new challenge for solar waste management after the end-of-life solar panels. In May 2024, CNBC published an article about the upcoming situation regarding the use and harm of electric waste.

View/Download Where are the remaining panels for photovoltaic projects [PDF]

PDF version includes complete article with source references. Suitable for printing and offline reading.