Brett Henderson Tackles Public Misinformation
By Brett Henderson, CEO & Co-Founder, SolarPanelRecycling.com
The transition to renewable energy should be a cause for celebration, not confusion. Yet, misinformation about solar panels continues to spread, leading some to question whether they are truly an environmentally friendly technology. As someone deeply involved in the solar industry, I want to set the record straight: solar panels are not harmful to the environment—quite the opposite.
Let’s break down some of the most common myths and get to the facts.
Myth #1: Solar Panels Create Too Much Waste
You’ve probably seen the alarming headlines—claims that solar panels will create a massive “waste mountain” by 2050. While it’s true that millions of panels will eventually need to be retired, the reality is that solar panels are highly recyclable when handled properly. The bigger issue isn’t waste; it’s the lack of awareness about true solar recycling. If solar panels are diverted from landfills and sent to a comprehensive solar recycler such as SPR, there would be no waste.
At SolarPanelRecycling.com (SPR), we are pioneers in true recycling. We specialize in clean commodity separation, meaning we recover materials like aluminum, glass, silicon, metals, and plastics so they can be reintroduced into the supply chain. Unlike incomplete recycling methods that only recover aluminum frames and leave the rest to landfills, true recycling ensures a circular economy that reduces the need for newly mined materials for a myriad of industries.
Myth #2: Solar Panels Are Toxic
Another common unfounded concern is that solar panels are toxic and leach harmful substances, like lead, selenium, and cadmium, into the environment. This is a misleading claim.
Solar panels are designed to be durable and well-encapsulated, making them safe while in use on rooftops or in the field. If solar panels are sent to landfills or handled by incomplete recycling processes, these toxic materials can pose a significant risk of leaching into the soil and groundwater when the encapsulation is broken.
Another promising trend in manufacturing of modern solar panels is that they contain only trace amounts of lead, and manufacturers are already working on eliminating it completely by 2030. To put this in perspective, the amount of lead that is in a solar panel is only 14 grams – 1/1000 in a typical lead-acid car battery. Then there’s cadmium telluride (CdTe), a toxic material used in thin-film solar panels—currently it only comprises less than 2% of market share. And because CdTe is fully encapsulated, it has been shown to remain stable if recycled properly. More importantly, the industry leaders have strict environmental health and safety regulations in place to ensure panels are safely handled and recycled and the industry’s largest trade association has a hyper focus on advocating for true recycling.
Myth #3: Solar Panels Can’t Be Recycled
This one is entirely inaccurate. Solar panel components, such as silicon, aluminum, and wiring—can be recycled and repurposed. The issue isn’t that panels can’t be recycled; it’s that awareness of true recycling options is still growing. At SPR, we are actively working to educate the industry and the public on the benefits of proper solar panel recycling.
Moreover, with 4 strategically placed facilities across the U.S. (and counting) we are 100% committed to making responsible solar recycling more accessible, cost-effective, and convenient. That’s just one reason that SEIA listed us on its approved recycling vendor. Our partnership with SEIA and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, is another prime example of our commitment. This pilot program generates dedicated drop-off sites for residential solar panels, while serving as a model for broader national adoption.
The Real Threat: Misinformation
The biggest challenge we face isn’t solar waste or solar toxicity—it’s the spread of misinformation. Some organizations use misleading narratives around solar panels not having the ability to be recycled at end-of-life to slow solar adoption, creating unnecessary roadblocks in the transition to cleaner energy.
If you’ve heard claims that landfills are the only options for decommissioned solar panels, know that this is simply not true. With dedicated recycling infrastructure and advanced technology already in place, and an industry actively working to expand awareness, panels can be properly recycled, recovering valuable resources to be put back into the supply chain. The real challenge is ensuring widespread awareness and education that panels can be recycled responsibly and how to seek out those conducting true recycling.
The Bottom Line: Solar Panels Are Part of the Solution, Not the Problem
Solar power is one of the most cost-effective and reliable energy sources available. It creates jobs, strengthens the energy economy, and provides a fast, modern solution to meet growing energy demands. Ensuring solar remains truly sustainable means prioritizing true recycling processes at the end of a panel’s lifecycle—and that’s exactly what we do at SPR.
If you are considering solar for your home or business, don’t let the misinformation of panels not being recyclable hold you back. With the right recycling infrastructure in place, solar is a sustainable choice from start to finish.
Want to learn more about true solar recycling? Reach out to SPR today to ensure your panels are recycled the right way and contribute to a truly circular economy.