The global market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 19.5% from 2024 to 2030, driven by rising end-of-life solar panel volumes and recycling requirements.
The global solar panel recycling market is projected to grow from USD 0.39 billion in 2024 to USD 1.12 billion by 2030, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5% during the forecast period, according to a market report titled Solar Panel Recycling Market.
The report analyses the market by type, including monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels; shelf life, covering early loss and normal loss; processing methods, including mechanical and hybrid processes; and materials such as silicon, metal, plastic and glass.
Rising Demand for Solar Panel Recycling
Market growth is being driven by environmental, economic and regulatory factors. As the global solar industry expands, increasing numbers of photovoltaic (PV) panels are reaching the end of their operational lives, creating a growing need for recycling and responsible disposal.
Recycling can help recover valuable materials, reduce the volume of waste sent to landfills and limit potential environmental contamination. Governments worldwide are also implementing regulations and standards addressing the recycling and disposal of end-of-life photovoltaic panels.
North America Projected to Be the Fastest-Growing Region
North America is identified as the fastest-growing region in the solar panel recycling market outlook. Growth is supported by increasing awareness of sustainable waste management and a stronger focus among businesses and governments on circular-economy practices.
Regulatory developments concerning electronic and photovoltaic waste in parts of the United States and Canada are encouraging the development of regional recycling facilities. Technological improvements by recycling companies are also aimed at increasing material recovery efficiency and making recycling more cost-effective.
In addition, collaborations between recycling companies and solar project developers are contributing to the development of recycling services for panels reaching the end of their operational lives.
Recent Developments in Solar Panel Recycling
Several partnerships and agreements announced between September 2024 and May 2025 highlight developments in the solar panel recycling sector.
- May 2025: SOLARCYCLE entered into a Recycling Services Agreement with RWE Clean Energy. The agreement provides for the recycling of solar panels from multiple RWE solar projects at the end of their operational lives.
- March 2025: ROSI partnered with Waste Experts and City Electrical Factors (CEF) to promote solar panel recycling in the UK. The initiative aims to address the growing challenge of responsibly disposing of end-of-life solar panels in the renewable energy industry.
- October 2024: Runergy Alabama Inc., one of the largest solar module manufacturers in the United States, entered into a partnership with SOLARCYCLE. Under the agreement, SOLARCYCLE will deliver at least 4 gigawatts, or 30 million square metres, of high-quality glass manufactured partly from recycled solar panels over the next five years.
- September 2024: Canadian Solar partnered with SOLARCYCLE, becoming one of the first crystalline silicon solar module manufacturers to offer a full recycling process to customers in the United States. SOLARCYCLE serves as Canadian Solar’s sole recycling and sustainability partner under the agreement.
- September 2024: HELIENE, Inc. entered into a partnership with SOLARCYCLE, committing to a multi-year purchase agreement for domestic glass derived from recycled solar photovoltaic modules.
The market report covers recycling technologies, material categories and regional developments, with forecasts extending to 2030.