South Carolina Solar Panel Recycling

The Soaring Trajectory of Solar in South Carolina

South Carolina has made remarkable strides in solar energy development, solidifying its position as a top-tier solar state. As of Q1 2024, South Carolina ranks 10th in the U.S. for total installed solar capacity, boasting over 3,425 megawatts (MW). This impressive capacity is capable of powering more than 404,748 homes and contributes approximately 4.98% of the state’s total electricity. Projections from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) anticipate continued robust growth, with capacity expected to surge to 8,981 MW over the next five years.

This exponential growth is fueled by several factors:

Supportive Policies: Key legislative acts, such as Act 236 and Act 58, have laid the groundwork for robust solar development, providing frameworks for net metering, interconnection, and renewable energy targets.

Declining Costs: The cost of solar energy in South Carolina has plummeted by 49% over the last decade, making it an increasingly attractive and competitive energy source for businesses and homeowners alike.

Utility-Scale Projects: South Carolina is home to numerous large-scale solar farms, including significant investments by utilities like Dominion Energy SC, which contribute substantially to the state’s renewable energy portfolio.

Residential and Commercial Adoption: Beyond utility-scale projects, there’s a strong and growing trend of solar panel installations on homes and businesses across the state, further diversifying South Carolina’s energy mix.

The Unavoidable Challenge: End-of-Life Solar Panels

While the proliferation of solar energy is undeniably positive, it brings with it the inevitable challenge of managing solar panels once they reach the end of their useful life, typically 25 to 30 years. As the state’s early installations mature, the volume of decommissioned panels will escalate, necessitating efficient and environmentally sound recycling practices. Globally, it’s projected that 78 million metric tons of solar panel waste could accumulate by 2050 if not properly recycled.

Solar panels are composed of valuable materials such as glass (~75% by weight), aluminum, silicon, copper, and trace amounts of silver. However, they can also contain potentially hazardous substances like lead and cadmium, which, if improperly disposed of in landfills, can leach into the soil and groundwater, posing environmental risks.

Navigating Regulations: The Need for Responsible Recycling

Currently, South Carolina does not have specific state-level regulations governing the recycling or disposal of solar panels. This means that unless a panel is specifically tested and determined to be hazardous, it might legally be disposed of in a municipal solid waste landfill.

However, generators of waste (including solar farm operators, installers, and property owners) retain “cradle-to-grave” responsibility for their waste under the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). If panels exhibit hazardous characteristics (e.g., through a Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure – TCLP test), they must be managed as hazardous waste, which involves strict handling, transport, and disposal requirements.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized the need for a more streamlined approach and is actively working on a rulemaking effort to add solar panels to the Universal Waste Rule (UWR). This would ease the regulatory burden for generators and encourage recycling. However, South Carolina has not yet independently adopted this designation, meaning full hazardous waste regulations apply if panels are found to be hazardous.

The economic benefits of recycling are also compelling. NREL estimates that the value of recovered materials from PV modules in the U.S. could reach $60 million by 2030 and a staggering $2 billion by 2050. Recycling not only mitigates environmental risks but also contributes to a circular economy, reducing the need for virgin raw materials and fostering new industries.

We Recycle Solar: Your Partner for Sustainable Solar in South Carolina

We Recycle Solar is at the forefront of providing comprehensive, compliant, and sustainable solar panel recycling solutions for businesses, developers, utility providers, and municipalities across South Carolina. We understand the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the state’s growing solar sector.

Our key services ensure that your end-of-life solar panels are managed responsibly:

Advanced Recycling Technologies: We utilize state-of-the-art processes to recover valuable materials like silicon, aluminum, copper, and glass, ensuring they are reintroduced into the manufacturing stream. Our methods aim for 90-95% material recovery, minimizing waste and maximizing resource utilization.

Logistics Management: We offer seamless collection and transportation services from your site, handling all aspects of logistics to make the recycling process efficient and hassle-free.

Compliance Assurance: We provide peace of mind by ensuring all recycling practices adhere to current federal and state waste management regulations, protecting your organization from potential liabilities.

Customized Solutions: Whether you manage a small commercial array or a large utility-scale solar farm, our services are tailored to meet your specific needs, scale, and operational requirements.

Environmental Impact & Brand Reputation: Partnering with us demonstrates a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, enhancing your brand’s image and contributing directly to South Carolina’s sustainability goals by reducing landfill waste and conserving natural resources.