Frequently Asked Questions

Repurpose Solar coordinates compliant solar panel (PV module) recycling and end-to-end logistics for commercial and utility-scale solar projects across the United States. When a system reaches end-of-life or is repowered, we manage everything from the point your system is decommissioned — logistics and freight coordination, certified recycling, and the compliance paperwork — so panels, batteries, and balance-of-system equipment are handled responsibly instead of going to a landfill.

We're a coordinator, not a single facility. We manage your project from start to finish through a vetted network of licensed contractors, certified carriers, and certified recycling facilities nationwide. That means you deal with one point of contact and one clean set of documentation, while the right specialists handle each part of the job.

Nationwide — all 50 states. We're headquartered in San Clemente, California, and coordinate projects across the country through our contractor and facility network.

Solar EPC (engineering, procurement & construction) companies, solar developers, commercial property owners, and asset managers responsible for solar portfolios. If you own, build, manage, or are decommissioning a solar installation, we can help.

Yes — we've handled small residential pickups, so we can help. That said, the biggest cost savings come with larger commercial and utility-scale projects, where volume makes the logistics and recycling far more economical. If you have a residential system, reach out and we'll let you know the best option.

Solar has scaled far faster than the infrastructure to retire it. Panels last roughly 25–30 years (NREL), and the first major wave of installations is now reaching end-of-life. Globally, cumulative PV panel waste is projected to reach 60–78 million metric tons by 2050 (IRENA / IEA-PVPS). In the U.S. alone, NREL's baseline projects roughly 9 million metric tons by 2050 as installed capacity climbs toward 500 GW.

Yet under today's conditions, only about 10% of U.S. panels are recycled while roughly 80% are landfilled (NREL). That gap is exactly what we exist to close — and it's a valuable one: the raw materials recoverable from end-of-life panels worldwide could exceed $15 billion by 2050 (IRENA).

Yes. Up to 95% of a panel's materials can be recovered and reused. Glass and aluminum framing alone make up roughly 85–90% of a panel's weight and are readily recyclable (IRENA), while higher-value materials like silicon and silver are recovered through more advanced processes. Recycling keeps these raw materials in the supply chain and keeps toxic components out of soil and groundwater.

We recycle all types of solar panels — crystalline silicon and thin-film alike — regardless of manufacturer, technology, or age.

Most solar panels contain cadmium, lead, and other materials classified as hazardous (toxic) waste in many states. Improper disposal can leach these materials into soil and groundwater, and it can expose your business to regulatory penalties and liability. In many jurisdictions, landfilling panels is restricted or prohibited outright — yet under current conditions roughly 80% of U.S. panels still end up in landfills (NREL). Recycling is the responsible, increasingly required alternative.

Yes. We coordinate certified recycling for lithium-ion, LFP, NMC, and lead-acid chemistries — from residential battery packs to utility-scale BESS units. Batteries are classified as hazardous waste in most states, so every step is handled by certified hazardous-waste handlers under EPA- and DOT-compliant protocols, with full chain-of-custody tracking and recycling certificates.

We handle those too. The concrete ballast blocks used on ballasted rooftop and ground-mount systems (typically 30–60 lbs each) can't simply be landfilled in many areas. We coordinate collection, transport, and recycling — blocks are crushed and repurposed as construction aggregate. Volume pricing is available for large commercial projects.

Yes. Equipment with remaining market value can be routed for resale through our sister marketplace, Repurpose Exchange, while end-of-life components are directed to compliant recycling.

Three steps. 1) Submit your project — tell us the location, panel count, condition, and timeline. 2) We coordinate everything — freight, transport, the recycling facility, and documentation. 3) Compliant completion — you receive a project recycling certificate covering all panels, plus full chain-of-custody paperwork.

We begin once your system has already been decommissioned — the modules are down and disconnected. From that point we handle everything downstream: packaging and palletization to DOT standards, freight routing, transport, certified recycling, and full compliance documentation. Lining up that downstream chain is the hardest part of a solar retirement, and it's exactly what we take off your plate.

At minimum: project location, approximate panel (or module) count, the condition of the equipment, and your timeline. The more detail you can share about the system and site access, the more precise the quote.

From small commercial systems up to large utility-scale sites. We've coordinated multi-megawatt decommissioning and repowering projects involving tens of thousands of panels, including sites in the tens of megawatts and larger.

We aim to return a quote within one business day. Once a project is approved, mobilization timing depends on site location, scope, and contractor scheduling — but we're built to move quickly, including on tight repower timelines.

In many states, yes — panels can fail federal toxicity tests due to cadmium and lead, and several states regulate them as hazardous or universal waste. Requirements vary by state, which is exactly why proper handling and documentation matter.

You receive a recycling certificate for the project that documents all the panels recycled — not a separate certificate per panel — along with full chain-of-custody records and waste manifests where required. Annual recycling summary reports are also available. This documentation protects your business, supports audits, and demonstrates environmental responsibility.

Compliance is built into every project. We align each job with applicable federal rules (including RCRA) and state-specific requirements (such as California's DTSC universal-waste program), and we plan transport, handling, and downstream routing accordingly. We also maintain a state-by-state regulatory navigator to support early-stage planning. (It's a planning resource, not legal advice.)

Yes. Clean, project-level recycling certificates and chain-of-custody records are designed to drop straight into ESG and sustainability reporting and to stand up to audit.

Often, yes. Not every panel coming off a site needs to be recycled. We grade and test qualifying modules (IV curve tracer testing, multimeter checks, and visual inspection) and appraise them at current market rates. Functional equipment is then routed to our sister marketplace, Repurpose Exchange, for resale.

That's the goal of our value-recovery process — capturing residual value on functional equipment can help offset the cost of recycling the rest. We also provide condition reports for insurance and audit purposes.

No. All resale happens through our separate sister marketplace, Repurpose Exchange, which connects sellers with qualified domestic and international buyers. Repurpose Solar focuses on recycling, logistics, and compliance.

Pricing is project-specific — it depends on panel count, equipment type, site location and access, condition, and timeline. We provide a free, customized quote, and value recovery on functional equipment can help offset costs.

Request a free quote through our website, or reach us directly at (949) 239-6969 or info@repurposesolar.net. Tell us about your project and our team will put together a quote within one business day.