Solar Panel Recycling Market Analysis

Process Segment Analysis

In the process segment mechanical segment is expected to attain the largest revenue share of 60.6% in the solar panel recycling market during the forecast duration. The dominance of the segment is highly attributable to its cost-effectiveness, scalability, and wide adoption, especially for breaking down large panels into constituent materials without complex chemical requirements. In May 2025, SOLARCYCLE announced that partnered with RWE Clean Energy to recycle end-of-life solar panels from RWE’s U.S. projects, using its patented mechanical recycling technology to recover up to 95% of materials as aluminum, silver, copper, silicon, and glass. This process ensures high-purity outputs, which are verified by third-party testing, enabling these materials to re-enter domestic supply chains. The firm has facilities in Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. SOLARCYCLE provides national coverage, supporting a circular economy and RWE’s zero-waste solar goals by also processing nearly 500,000 panels in North America by 2025.

Material Segment Analysis

By the end of the forecast period, glass-based material is expected to garner a considerable share in the market. This is the most consistently recovered material driving revenue since PV waste volumes increase, and glass cullet has high reuse value in float glass and construction applications. Also, the process of glass recycling reduces energy use and raw silica demand relative to virgin materials. The advancements in terms of separation and delamination techniques are readily improving glass recovery efficiency from end-of-life PV modules. In addition, regulatory mandates that promote circular economy practices support higher glass recycling rates. Further, the heightened demand from the construction and automotive glass industries strengthens downstream consumption of recycled cullet. Together, the presence of all of these factors positions glass as a key revenue-generating material segment within the solar panel recycling industry.

Product Type Segment Analysis

In the solar panel recycling market, the crystalline silicon PV segment is likely to gain a significant revenue share by the end of 2035. The subtype’s growth is highly attributable to the majority of global installations and end-of-life panels entering recycling streams. Their dominance in installed capacity directly translates to a higher recycling revenue share. Crystalline panels have established recycling pathways and greater material recovery economies of scale. In September 2024, Canadian Solar announced a recycling partnership with SOLARCYCLE, positioning itself among the first crystalline silicon PV module manufacturers to offer upfront end-of-life recycling services to U.S. customers. It also notes that by integrating recycling at the point of module purchase, the initiative directly links the dominant installed base of crystalline silicon panels to structured recycling demand and revenue generation. Further, the partnership also enables recovery of high-value materials such as glass, aluminum, silver, and copper, reinforcing economies of scale in crystalline silicon PV recycling.

Our in-depth analysis of the global market includes the following segments: