SPR (Solar Panel Recycling.com) has unveiled the first automated recycling line [1] designed specifically for bifacial solar panels in the United States. This innovative technology promises unprecedented efficiency, achieving clean glass separation at 99% or higher recovery rates. Bifacial modules, expected to dominate over 70% of the global market by 2033, are favored for their higher efficiencies and energy yields compared to traditional monofacial panels.
The new recycling line addresses inefficiencies in existing monofacial recycling processes, particularly in glass recovery rates and manual labor. Unlike partial recyclers that shred whole panels into unusable waste, SPR’s process ensures the clean separation of all components, allowing materials to re-enter the manufacturing supply chain and support a circular economy.
SPR’s CEO, Brett C. Henderson, emphasized the company’s commitment to innovation and sustainability, stating that true solar recycling requires cleanly separated commodities that minimize environmental impact. The new technology marks a significant milestone for SPR and the solar industry as a whole.
SolarPanelRecycling.com opened a new 300-megawatt recycling center in Breckenridge, Texas in 2024. It is equipped with technology that fully extracts all materials for reuse, including panels, inverters, cabling, and batteries. This facility is part of SPR’s efforts to meet the growing demand for bifacial recycling services and support the industry’s sustainability goals.
Sources:
[1] First-of-its-kind automated solar panel recycling line can cleanly separate glass of bifacial modules https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/solar/utility-scale/first-of-its-kind-automated-solar-panel-recycling-line-can-cleanly-separate-glass-of-bifacial-modules/
