Comparative Analysis of Solar Panel Recycling and Disposal Costs
Recycling solar panels is more expensive than disposing of them in a landfill. Here’s a breakdown of the costs involved:
Recycling Costs:
- Small panels (less than 100 watts): $10-$20 per panel.
- Medium panels (100-250 watts): $20-$30 per panel.
- Large panels (over 250 watts): $30-$40 per panel.
- Complex or larger panels: Up to $200 per panel.
- General estimate: $10 to $40 per unit, with NREL reporting $15 to $45 per silicon PV module.
Disposal Costs:
- Landfill disposal: $1 to $20 per panel, with an average of $5 to $20.
Key Considerations:
- Environmental Impact: Recycling helps prevent pollution by keeping hazardous materials out of landfills, while landfilling can lead to long-term remediation costs.
- Material Recovery: Recycling recovers valuable materials like aluminum, copper, and silicon, reducing the need for new raw materials and minimizing environmental impacts.
- Economic Viability: The cost of recycling is often higher, but it can be offset by tax benefits and rebates available for recycling solar panels.
In summary, while landfilling is cheaper upfront, recycling offers environmental benefits and resource recovery that can justify the higher cost.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-do-the-costs-of-recycling-solar-panels-compare-to-disposing-of-them/
