Solar Panel Recycling in Oklahoma City
Solar Panel Recycling in Oklahoma City
Solar panels and their batteries empower various industries across America. Currently, solar power is the world’s best renewable source of energy. Additionally, it supports domestic markets, lowers greenhouse gases, and does not require a lot of maintenance.
The solar business is relentlessly developing as the need for clean energy and environmental awareness increases. With the increase in solar panels over the years, solar products are becoming ever more indispensable. Leading to the demand for solar panel recycling in Oklahoma City.
The Recycling Process
Silicon solar products mostly contain glass, plastic, and aluminum. Retrieving these three elements is common. Thus, there is an escalating demand of solar panel recycling in Oklahoma City.
Industry experts refer to solar panels as photovoltaic or PV cells. Solar panels can function for almost 30 years. After which, their productivity decreases. Furthermore, recycling solar products involves complex machinery.
Solar panel recycling should be performed accurately to be advantageous. If not done correctly, it can cause harm to the environment and neighboring communities. Therefore, it is important to use the safest end-of-life treatment, following the strictest guidelines.
The method of solar panel recycling includes:
- Removing the frame
- Separation of the glass along a conveyor belt
- Thermal processing to evaporate the plastic
- Etching silicon wafers
This procedure recovers precious elements, such as aluminum and glass. Additionally, this method recovers 95% of the glass from the solar panels. Secondly, thermal processing splits up the unimportant plastic from the important materials. Lastly, etching the silicon wafer eliminates any unwanted scraps left behind.
Solar Panel Life Cycle
The mechanical progression of solar panels seem to be parallel with the growth of the industry. Furthermore, solar products have many ways to evaluate efficacy and productivity. Their lifespan can range from:
- 10 – 12 years: efficiency declines by upwards of 10 percent
- 15 – 20 years: efficiency declines by 20 percent
- 25 – 30 years: efficiency declines significantly
Just like a car, the lifespan of solar panels is dynamic, not static. For instance, advanced solar panels can generate power for nearly 40 years. Yet, as they age, their performance starts to weaken.
Recycling Solar Panel Batteries
Not all solar panels require batteries to function. However, many panels have them as a backup. Likewise, recycling batteries proves to be crucial. On the other hand, solar panel batteries defile nature if inaccurately discarded. At the core of all solar batteries is lithium. It is a relatively rare resource that afflicts the environment.
If solar panel batteries are recklessly dumped, toxic waste will develop. Which can destroy the environment. Not only that, but also recyclable materials are lost. That alone should encourage companies to recycle solar panels and the parts that empower them.
Conclusion
Solar panel recycling is necessary for longevity. The use of solar panels provides the planet with the natural power it needs to withstand life. Especially seeing that solar panels replace the infamous fossil fuels. Innovative companies must find the best facility for solar panel recycling in Oklahoma City.
Interco recycles solar panels and returns the newly recycled raw materials back to the industrial world. In the United States, Interco is a leader in solar panel recycling. Interco recycles more than 250,000 solar panels each year. For more information, click here to contact Interco.