States like North Carolina are proactively addressing the recycling of solar panels through a combination of regulatory measures and practical recycling initiatives aimed at establishing a sustainable circular economy for solar PV modules.
Regulatory Framework and Decommissioning Rules
North Carolina has developed specific rules through the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission that require owners of solar projects larger than 2 megawatts to submit decommissioning plans starting November 1, 2025. These plans must include provisions for the reuse or recycling of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, ensuring that large-scale solar facilities plan for responsible end-of-life management of their panels.
Commercial Recycling Facilities and Industry Growth
North Carolina is home to SPR (SolarPanelRecycling.com), a pioneering company in advanced solar panel recycling technology that can recover nearly all materials from end-of-life solar panels. SPR operates a recycling facility in Salisbury, NC, which has become the first on the U.S. East Coast to recycle large volumes of solar panels, processing tens of thousands annually with plans to scale significantly as more panels reach their end of life.
Residential Solar Panel Recycling Pilot Program
Recognizing the challenge of collecting and recycling residential solar panels, SPR partnered with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Mecklenburg County to launch a six-month pilot program offering convenient drop-off locations for residential solar panel recycling in the Charlotte metro area. This program, using five electronic waste drop-off sites including SPR’s own headquarters, aims to divert residential solar panels from landfills and create a replicable model for other states and municipalities.
This pilot is particularly notable because residential solar panels are traditionally harder to collect due to their dispersed nature, but collectively they represent a significant opportunity to prevent waste. SEIA sees North Carolina’s initiative as a blueprint for national expansion, leveraging data from the pilot to facilitate recycling infrastructure development across the country.
Summary
| Aspect | North Carolina Approach |
|---|---|
| Regulation | Mandatory decommissioning plans for solar projects >2 MW including recycling or reuse starting Nov 2025 |
| Recycling Facility | SPR’s Salisbury facility recycles nearly entire panels with advanced technology, scaling volume rapidly |
| Residential Recycling Pilot | Pilot program with SEIA and Mecklenburg County provides drop-off sites for residential panels, creating a scalable model |
| State Solar Capacity | North Carolina is ranked 4th nationally in solar capacity, driving significant recycling demand |
Overall, North Carolina is establishing a comprehensive framework combining regulation, advanced recycling technology, and pilot programs to address both commercial and residential solar panel recycling needs, positioning itself as a leader in sustainable solar energy lifecycle management.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-are-states-like-north-carolina-addressing-the-recycling-of-solar-panels/
