Solar panels contribute to the earth’s sustainable development. Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the sun’s beams into electricity by transferring electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light. They only rely on solar radiation and are capable of delivering electricity to homes and businesses. Eventually, these products are in need of a scrap PV solar panel modules processing facility.

In the early 2000s, the use of solar panels grew tremendously. In the United States alone, there were over 2 million installations of solar panels. In Europe alone, more than 4-million solar panels provide regular electricity. Solar panels have an average lifespan of 30 years, but then they fail to work properly. So, the solar panels that were installed 20 years ago, will soon reach the end of their lives. With such a high number of solar panels in use, scrap piles will build up quickly. Interco recycles them of course.

Why work with a Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules Processing Facility?

So, what should you do with your scrap solar panels after they reach the end of their lives? You should sell them to a scrap PV solar panel modules processing facility. Recycling solar panels can reduce what goes to the landfill, reduce waste, and save on energy used to produce materials.

Through recycling, recycling centers are able to recover over 80 percent of a crystalline silicon unit from each solar panel. They can also recycle other components like electric junction boxes, glass and plastic, and aluminum frames and brackets.

Companies that work with solar panels may question, “Where do I find a scrap PV solar panel modules processing facility?” A USA solar panel recycling company must have the appropriate expertise and credentials to recycle the material. A good place to start your research might be the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) website.

This trade association “embodies the innovation and entrepreneurship that defines solar energy.” SEIA members represent North America’s top solar panel installers, decommissioning companies, and recycling companies. Membership experiences significant growth. Increase social awareness to the importance of recycling solar panels as well as safety.

This association focuses on the global trade and environmental impacts of these technologies as a key element of growth.

Companies should work with a scrap PV solar panel modules processing facility. Recycling solar panels need to be done properly. If solar panels end up in landfills, they will be causing additional problems. Lead and cadmium are two of the toxic metals in solar panels. If these metals go to the landfill and leak into our drinking water, they could cause problems with the human nervous system or they could cause cancer. Working with a scrap PV solar panel modules processing facility guarantees proper recycling of solar panels. As a result, it also makes recycling solar panels simple.

About Interco – A Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules Processing Facility

Interco is a global recycling company providing metals, computers, and electronics recycling services to the industrial, dealer, and government organizations throughout the western hemisphere. The company specializes in the placement of smelter-ready materials throughout the world utilizing established partnerships with end consumers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Most noteworthy, like computers and electronics recycling the processing of solar panels is considered a subcategory of eWaste recycling grows faster than ever. The importance of recycling solar panels increases more important everyday. Interco is a leader in solar panel recycling in the United States. Interco recycles solar panels from across North America and has done business with eScrap recycling since founded in 1996. Even solar panels from the Caribbean find their way to Interco for recycling. Interco often handles the domestic and international logistics services and recycles solar panels from Hawaii as well.

Types of Solar Panels and Their Respective Recycling Processes

The company processes more than 1,000 tons of scrap solar panel modules each month. We recycle solar panels based on their type. Furthermore, the two main types of solar panels are silicon-based and thin-film based panels. As a result, there are two different methods of recycling solar panels:

Silicon-Based Solar Panel Recycling

1. Recycling silicon-based solar panels begin with the dismantling of the panels. Thus, this process separates its aluminum and glass. Both materials are individually recyclable.
2. Then, they subject the rest of the modules to a temperature of 500◦ Celsius. This takes place in a thermal processing unit to ease the bonds between the cell elements.
3. Once the heat is applied, the plastic evaporates. This leaves the silicon cells for processing.
4. After the heat treatment, the melting process separates the hardware. They separate the hardware, which is 80 percent reusable, from the silicon particles.
5. As a result, the material is ready for use in the new silicon modules.

Thin-Film Based Solar Panel Recycling

• Recycling solar panels of this typing speed up the process. Therefore, it completes the process faster and more drastically.
• Machines shred the thin film-based panels from the mill the material. This ensures all particles are approximately 4-5 mm in size.
• Unlike silicon-based panels, a rotating screw separates the remaining solid and liquid materials.
• Consequently, the process purifies liquids through precipitation. In fact, it also separates them from the semiconductor materials through a metal processor.
• Recyclers remove the contaminated solid materials containing inter-layer materials. Furthermore, a vibrating surface separates these materials.
• Approximately 90% of these materials are reintroduced. Most can be used in the re-manufacturing processes.

Without recycling, these scrap solar panels will cause more landfills and put the surrounding area in danger. Consequently, using a scrap PV solar panel modules processing facility eliminates this threat.

Conclusion

Overall, solar panels are going to reach the end of life status soon at a high volume. Companies will need to make a decision on how to deal with it. Working with Interco makes recycling solar panels painless. To learn more about a scrap PV solar panel modules processing facility, click here.

What Can I Do With My Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules?

In the United States, there were over 2 million installations of solar panels in the early 2000s. This means that those panels are roughly 20 years old. Additionally, solar panels have an average shelf life of 30 years or more, but they do become inefficient and worn after these periods. With such a high number of solar panels in use, scrap piles will build up quickly over the next few years.

So, what can you do with your scrap PV solar panel modules?  Give them to a certified scrap PV solar panel modules recycler. In the United States, Interco is a leader in solar panel recycling.

Solar panel recycling is important for the environment. Furthermore, solar panel recycling can reduce what goes to the landfill, lower waste, and save on energy used to produce materials. Recycling solar panels helps recover over 80 percent of a crystalline silicon unit from each solar panel.

In about 30 years, a wave of panels may reach the end of their lifespans, excluding the hundreds of millions of panels that flooded the U.S. market in the last decade that may need to be disposed of sooner. Moreover, companies will need to decide how to deal with the increase in scrap piles and an option is working with a certified scrap PV solar panel modules recycler.

Why Recycle Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules?

Recycling solar panels yields more than 5 thousand tons of scrap metals. Including 2,000 tons of steel, 1,000 tons of aluminum, and 250 tons of copper. There are small amounts of rare metals as well, such as gallium and indium. They may also contain some lethal heavy metals like cadmium and lead.

Improper recycling can harm the environment and neighboring communities.

Here is a list of other recyclable components in solar panels: electric junction boxes, glass and plastics, and aluminum frames and brackets

Solar panels contribute to the earth’s sustainable development. Solar-powered photovoltaic (PV) panels convert the sun’s rays into electricity by transferring electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun.

They are a sustainable source of energy, reliant only on solar radiation, and capable of delivering electricity to homes and businesses. However, the panels eventually fail to perform efficiently. Companies will need to get rid of their solar panels and if disposed of irresponsibly, then they will be causing more problems. If solar panels end up in a landfill, then toxic substances would distribute from the PV cells and harm the environment. Using a certified scrap PV solar panel modules recycler, like Interco, would be beneficial to the environment.

The Importance of a Certified Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules Recycler

A certified scrap PV solar panel modules recycler guarantees proper recycling practices are in place. In fact, if you have a scrapyard full of solar panels, sell them to a recycling center like Interco. Interco uses the safest end-of-life treatment, following the strictest guidelines.

Interco is a leader in solar panel recycling throughout the western hemisphere. The processing facility recycles solar panels according to their types. Furthermore, the two types Interco recycles are silicon-based and thin-filmed panels.

Because there are two solar panel types, there are two main methods of recycling:

Silicon Based Solar Panel Recycling

1. Recycling silicon-based solar panels begins with the dismantling of the panels. This process separates its aluminum and glass. Both materials are individually recyclable.
2. Then, they subject the rest of the modules to a temperature of 500◦ Celsius. This takes place in a thermal processing unit to ease the bonds between the cell elements.
3. Once the heat is applied, the plastic evaporates. This leaves the silicon cells for processing.
4. After the heat treatment, the melting process separates the hardware. The separate the hardware, which is 80 percent reusable, from the silicon particles.
5. As a result, material is ready for use in the new silicon modules.

Thin-Film Based Solar Panel Recycling

• Recycling solar panels of this type speeds up the process. It completes the process faster and more drastically.
• Machines shred the thin film-based panels from the mill the material. This ensures all particles are approximately 4-5 mm in size.
• Unlike silicon-based panels, a rotating screw separates the remaining solid and liquid materials.
• Consequently, the process purifies liquids through precipitation. It also separates them from the semiconductor materials through a metal processor.
• Recyclers remove the contaminated solid materials containing inter-layer materials. Furthermore, a vibrating surface separates these materials.
• Approximately 90% of these materials are reintroduced. Most can be used in the re-manufacturing processes.

Silicon-based panels are more widely used than thin-filmed based panels. This is because silicon-based panels use process technologies with an enormous database. This makes them more reliable.

Without recycling, these scrap solar panels will cause additional landfills. Those who scrap can reap the benefits of working with a certified scrap PV solar panel modules recycler by assisting to reduce landfills, protect natural resources, and earn a profit.

About Interco

Interco is a global recycling company providing metals, computers, and electronics recycling services to industrial, dealer, and government organizations throughout the western hemisphere. The company specializes in the placement of smelter-ready materials throughout the world utilizing established partnerships with end consumers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

The company has been a member of the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI) since 1996.

ISRI is the voice of the recycling industry advocating safe, economically sustainable, and environmentally responsible recycling through networking, advocacy, and education.

Furthermore, Interco offers creative solutions, competitive pricing, and quality service throughout the supply chain. The company has been an industry leader providing metals, computers, and electronics recycling services with a focused track record of innovation and integrity in since 1996.

Interco, as an ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series Management System certified company, recognizes and manages potential health and safety risks throughout the company and the diverging supply chain. The ISO 45001 standard is internationally accepted as the highest standard of health and safety management in existence.

With a convenient, central location just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri in Madison, Illinois, Interco is within close proximity to four major interstates (I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70) that intersect all of the Midwest and Central USA possibilities.

Interco is a Certified Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules Recycler

Interco recycles more than 250,000 solar panels per year. Solar panel installers, solar panel manufacturers, and utility companies across the USA use Interco to recycle older and obsolete solar panels. Solar panels that were installed in the early 2000s will be reaching the end of their lives sooner rather than later. Companies will need to decide how to handle the scrap piles building up. The answer is working with a certified scrap PV solar panel modules recycler, like Interco. To learn more about Interco, click here.

Best Company to Recycle Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules

Solar panels offer a shelf life of about 25-30 years or more but eventually become inefficient and exhausted from their useful qualities. These items then become important materials to recycle. Throughout their lifespan, PV solar panel modules may show a decrease in its power capacity. Consumers and businesses with a pile of expired solar panels typically consider where the best company to recycle scrap PV solar panel modules is.

American homes and commercial buildings boasted more than one million installations of solar panels nationwide. What happens when these panels have exhausted their shelf life? Interco recycles them.

By 2050, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimates that up to 78 million metric tons of solar panels will have reached the end of their life and that the world will be generating about 6 million metric tons of new solar eWaste annually.

Old panels are between 85 to 90 percent glass and aluminum by weight, which means they can be recycled relatively easily. Interco, a leader in solar panel recycling, processes solar panels from across North America.

Energy production of solar panel modules can decline by what manufacturers consider to be a significant amount therefore Interco offers services for disposal. Interco is the best company to recycle scrap PV solar panel modules because the newly recycled raw materials return to the industrial world.

Recycling Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules

The best company to recycle scrap PV solar panels modules have the proper expertise and credentials to recycle the materials. The company must adhere strictly to environmental laws and regulations. Interco overcomes these obstacles.

Experts estimated that approximately 500,000 solar panels were being installed globally every day in 2015. In fact, solar panels are listed in most states in the U.S. as common waste, and it is lawful to send them to landfills despite environmental hazards.

Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight into electricity. When these panels enter landfills, valuable resources go to waste. Additionally, solar panels contain toxic materials like lead that can leak out as they break down.

The high number of solar panels installed in the U.S. has created a need to effectively recycle solar panels. It can be expensive to recycle solar panels. Consequently, there are not many companies with the resources to recycle solar panels effectively.

Interco recycles solar panels according to their types. The two main types are categorized as silicon-based or thin-filmed panels.

The Process of Recycling Solar Panels

Recycling PV solar panel modules are possible through a certified recycling center. Recycling centers like Interco, which recycle solar panels use the following measures to process a silicon module: 

1. Removing the aluminum frame (100% reusable)
2. Separating the glass along a conveyor belt (95% reusable)
3. Thermal processing at 500 degrees Celsius
4. This allows for the evaporation of small plastic components and allows the cells to be easier separated.
5. Etching away silicon wafers and smelting them into reusable slabs (85% reusable)

In fact, silicon solar modules are primarily composed of glass, plastic, and aluminum: three materials commonly recycled in mass quantities. Silicon solar modules contain about 5% of silicon, which cannot be recycled.

Thin-film panels are recyclable too. The materials that can be reused from thin-film solar panels includes:

• 89% glass
• 6% aluminum
• 4% plastic
• 1% metal

A Company for Recycling PV Solar Panel Modules

Industry professionals recognize the clean, renewable energy bolsters local economies, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and require little maintenance over the lifespan of the investment compared to other forms of energy generation.

Interco offers creative solutions, competitive pricing, and quality service throughout the supply chain. The company has been an industry leader providing metals, computers, and electronics recycling services with a focused track record of innovation and integrity since 1996.

Four patent-pending material processing plants give Interco the capacity to process more than 10 million pounds of computers, electronics, batteries, solar panels, and alternative energy generation and storage equipment monthly.

Interco is the Best Company to Recycle Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules

Overall, there is no national program or requirement to safely dispose of solar panels. However, Interco offers services that allow users to recycle solar panels. The importance of recycling solar panels increases every day. Additionally, Interco recycles solar panels from across North America. Even solar panels from the Caribbean find their way to Interco for recycling. Contact Interco here to learn more about the best company to recycle scrap PV solar panel modules.

Buy Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules

In the United States, there were 2 million solar panel installations in the early 2000s. With a lifespan of 30 years or more, these solar panels will reach end of life status soon. Consequently, one of the best solutions is to take your expired electronics to recycling centers that buy scrap PV solar panel modules.

A solar panel converts the sun’s ray into electricity by transferring electrons in silicon cells using the photons of light from the sun. Furthermore, they are a sustainable source of energy, rely only on solar radiation, and provide electricity to homes and businesses. However, these panels cannot last forever, and will eventually stop working proficiently. Solar panels contain toxic metals, so they need to be recycled properly. In addition, they contain lead and cadmium which can cause cancer or problems with the human nervous system.

On the other hand, these components increase the value to buy scrap PV solar panel modules: glass, polymer, aluminum, silicon, copper, small amounts of silver, tin, and lead

How to Recycle Solar Panels

Recycling solar panels is simple with Interco. Additionally, the company will buy scrap PV solar panel modules for recycling. We process more than 1,000 tons of solar panel modules each month. Furthermore, we recycle solar panels based on their type.

Because there are two different types of solar panels, there are two distinct methods to recycling:

Silicon Based Solar Panel Recycling

1. Recycling silicon-based solar panels begins with the dismantling of the panels. This process separates its aluminum and glass. Both materials are individually recyclable.
2. Then, they subject the rest of the modules to a temperature of 500◦ Celsius. This takes place in a thermal processing unit to ease the bonds between the cell elements.
3. After the application of heat, the plastic evaporates, leaving the silicon cells for processing.  
4. Next, the melting process splits up the hardware which is 80% reusable.
5. As a result, material is ready for use in the new silicon modules.

Thin-Film Based Solar Panel Recycling

• Recycling solar panels of this type speeds up the process. It completes the process faster and more drastically.
• Machines shred the thin film-based panels from the mill the material. This ensures all particles are approximately 4-5 mm in size.
• Unlike silicon-based panels, a rotating screw separates the remaining solid and liquid materials.
• Consequently, the process purifies liquids through precipitation. It also separates them from the semiconductor materials through a metal processor.
• Recyclers remove the contaminated solid materials containing inter-layer materials. Furthermore, a vibrating surface separates these materials.
• Approximately 90% of these materials are reintroduced. Most can be used in the re-manufacturing processes.

Recycling centers buy scrap PV solar panel modules to keep the material out of landfills. So, when a company decides to work with a recycling center, they will be doing their part to help reduce landfills, protect natural resources, and reduce overall pollution.

About Interco

Interco is a global recycling company providing metals, computers, and electronics recycling services to industrial, dealer, and government organizations throughout the western hemisphere. The company specializes in the placement of smelter-ready materials throughout the world utilizing established partnerships with end consumers in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

In addition, the recycling center offers creative solutions, competitive pricing, and quality service throughout the supply chain. The company has been an industry leader providing metals, computers, and electronics recycling services with a focused track record of innovation and integrity since 1996.

Interco, as an ISO 45001 Occupational Health & Safety Assessment Series Management System certified company, recognizes and manages potential health and safety risks throughout the company and the diverging supply chain. Moreover, the ISO 45001 standard is internationally accepted as the highest standard of health and safety management in existence.

We are within proximity to four major interstates (I-44, I-55, I-64, and I-70) while offering a convenient delivery location centrally located just across the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri in Madison, Illinois, intersecting all the Midwest and Central USA.

Finally, the company was one of the very first certified R2v3 recyclers in the world.

Interco Buys Scrap PV Solar Panel Modules

The solar panels that were installed in the early 2000s, will reach their expiration date soon. Companies will need to plan on how to deal with the scrap piles building up. Therefore, working with a recycling center that does buy scrap PV solar panel modules, will decrease scrap piles for companies. Companies will not need to store the old solar panels and waste time and money. The companies will also not need to worry about the dangers of improper recycling, as Interco will take care of it safely. Lastly, to learn more about a recycling center that does buy scrap PV solar panel modules, click here.