Solar Panel Recycling Companies

The solar panel recycling market size is projected to grow from USD 0.39 billion in 2024 to USD 1.12 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 19.5% during the forecast period.

Solar panel recycling is increasing in demand due to the increased number of installations and damages, resulting in an increasing number of panels that have been decommissioned. The sustainability targets worldwide, combined with regulatory compliance, are driving manufacturers and governments to responsibly handle solar waste. Recovery of materials like silicon, silver, aluminum, and glass lessens the need for virgin resources, reduces the cost of production, and is ultimately better for the environment. The increased implementation of circular economy practices to prevent further landfill and toxic waste will fuel innovation in the recycling of solar panels. The technology previously released, particularly in the last 10 years, has also improved the economy of scale for solar panel recycling, and is driving the market.

Solar Panel Recycling Companies

The prominent competitors, along with others, define the solar panel recycling market through ongoing innovations, partnerships, expansions, and worldwide growth strategies. Their contributions propel technological developments, broaden market reach, and shape industry standards, ultimately influencing the future of the solar panel recycling market. The top players in the market which include First Solar (US),  Reiling GmbH & Co. KG (Germany), The Retrofit Companies, Inc. (US), Rinovasol Global Services B. V. (Netherlands), ROSI (France), We Recycle Solar (US),  SILCONTEL LTD (Israel), Etavolt Pte. Ltd. (Singapore), PV Industries (Australia), and SOLARCYCLE, Inc. (US) adopt product launches, acquisitions, and investments to increase their market shares and expand their geographic presence.

To know about the assumptions considered for the study download the pdf brochure

• In May 2025, SOLARCYCLE entered into a Recycling Services Agreement with RWE Clean Energy. This agreement permits and ensures the recycling of solar panels from the multiple RWE solar projects at the end of operational life.
• In March 2025, ROSI developed an exclusive partnership with Waste Experts and City Electrical Factors (CEF), which will promote solar panel recycling in the UK. The plan is to address the growing problem of responsibly disposing of end-of-life solar panels in the renewable energy industry.

First Solar is a prominent American solar technology company renowned for providing photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions globally. Renowned for its innovation, its PV solar modules are developed in cutting-edge research & development (R&D) labs in California and Ohio. These modules boast the advanced thin-film semiconductor technology, offering high performance and a lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules. From inception to disposal, First Solar is dedicated to minimizing the environmental impact and enhancing its products' social and economic benefits across their entire life cycle. As the largest thin-film PV solar module manufacturer worldwide and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, the company operates across two primary segments, namely, Modules and Others. First Solar operates high-value recycling facilities in the US, Germany, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam, capable of recycling approximately 2.6 million solar modules per year. The company maintains a global presence across various regions, including North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Africa, and Europe.

As a family-run recycling business with a rich history spanning over a century, Reiling GmbH & Co. KG is deeply rooted in the mission of environmental stewardship and resource conservation. With extensive experience and dedication, it specializes in recycling a wide range of materials, including glass, plastic, wood, and photovoltaic modules. Its commitment extends beyond waste management and aims to establish a sustainable and efficient recycling loop that minimizes the environmental impact and promotes circular economic principles. Through strategic partnerships with various stakeholders, such as trade, commerce, industry, municipalities, and dual recycling systems, it provides end-to-end support throughout the recycling process. From collecting and transporting recyclable materials to processing and supplying high-quality recyclates, it ensures comprehensive solutions tailored to clients' needs. With innovative technologies and expertise, it continuously develops new recovery and recycling solutions to optimize the exploitation chain and maximize industrial value creation. It is among Europe's most versatile recycling groups, operating from 12 locations in Germany and 6 international sites.

Established in March 1992, The Retrofit Companies, Inc. is a certified woman-owned small business in Owatonna and Little Canada, MN. Its expertise spans lighting, design, electrical contracting services, environmental services, and recycling for businesses. The company caters to clients in both, the public and private sectors across Minnesota, the Upper Midwest, the US, Canada, and South Korea. Retrofit operates three specialized divisions under one roof: Retrofit Lighting & Design, Retrofit Electric, and Retrofit Environmental. The Retrofit Environmental segment encompasses solar panel recycling. The company's solar recycling program serves a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, construction & contractors, government & utilities, education, commercial real estate, retail, food production & processing, senior/memory care, recycling centers & landfills, city/county municipalities, agriculture, and restaurants.

We Recycle Solar revolutionizes photovoltaic device lifecycle management by leveraging decades of experience in asset recovery and electronics recycling. As a comprehensive disposal solution, the company specializes in handling excess, recalled, and end-of-life solar products, including panels and energy storage systems. Its direct-to-refinery approach ensures the absolute disposal of various types of solar equipment, including monocrystalline, polycrystalline, and assorted thin-film PV cells, supporting the industry's evolving recycling needs. Collaborating with leading utilities, O&M professionals, manufacturers, and contractors nationwide, We Recycle Solar delivers customized solutions to meet every need and budget. With presence in North America, its value recovery operations cover four countries. Each of the facilities can process up to 100,000 pounds of equipment daily, ensuring efficient and sustainable handling of solar products on a large scale. Furthermore, the company’s large-scale operations have resulted in the recovery of 10,400 tons of processed glass, 495 tons of aluminum, and 147 tons of copper.

SOLARCYCLE, Inc. is a pioneering solar technology firm establishing a circular economy for solar and renewable energy solutions. At the forefront of sustainability, SOLARCYCLE, Inc. provides an innovative and cost-effective process for decommissioning solar panels and repurposing the materials for new applications. Collaborating with the foremost solar companies across the nation, SOLARCYCLE, Inc. spearheads the recycling of solar panel systems, fostering the development of a circular solar economy. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in the US, SOLARCYCLE, Inc. boasts a strong presence in North America, driving transformative change in the renewable energy sector through its commitment to eco-friendly practices and innovative solutions.

Market Ranking

The market for solar panel recycling is highly competitive, and the five primary players capture about 30–35% of the total market share. First Solar leads the market with its advanced recycling technology and vertically integrated operations, in terms of recycling cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film solar modules. Reiling GmbH & Co. KG is a leading player in Europe based on the recovery of glass, metals, and plastics at the end-of-life for panels. We Recycle Solar has established a presence in North America by offering end-to-end recycling and remarketing of decommissioned PV panels. The Retrofit Companies, Inc. is known for its specialized services in recycling for commercial and institutional clients. SOLARCYCLE, Inc. has gained traction with proprietary recycling processes focusing on high-value materials (silicon, silver, and aluminum). The remaining 65–75% market is shared among regional and growing players, leading to considerable fragmentation and opportunities for smaller companies to grow. Market competition is underway by adopting new recovery technologies, volume increase of end-of-life solar panels, and tightening environmental regulations promoting circular economy practices in the renewable energy sector.

Related Reports:

Solar Panel Recycling Market by Type (Monocrystalline, Polycrystalline), Shelf Life (Early Loss, Normal Loss), Process (Mechanical, Hybrid), Material (Silicon, Metal, Plastic, Glass) - Global Forecast to 2030