Solar Panel Disposal vs. Recycling Costs
Landfill disposal typically costs $1–$20 per panel, with some facilities charging as little as $1–$5 per panel. In contrast, recycling costs range from $10–$40 per panel for standard sizes, though costs can exceed $200 for large or complex panels.
Key Comparisons
- Cost efficiency: Landfilling is far cheaper short-term ($1–$5 vs. $15–$45 for recycling).
- Environmental trade-offs: Recycling recovers aluminum, copper, and silicon, reducing mining demand and environmental harm, while landfilling risks soil/water contamination from hazardous materials like lead and cadmium.
- Long-term economics: Landfilling may incur future remediation costs, whereas recycling avoids waste and supports a circular economy.
NREL estimates show recycling silicon panels costs 15–45x more than landfilling, though pricing varies by panel size and region.
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