What Happens to Your Solar Panels After 25 Years? The Truth About Energy Recycling
Understand that solar panels don’t last forever, but their materials can. Most photovoltaic panels maintain efficiency for 25-30 years before requiring replacement, and approximately 95% of their components—including silicon, glass, aluminum, and copper—can be recovered and reused through specialized recycling processes. This creates a circular economy where today’s solar installations become tomorrow’s raw materials.
Recognize that Illinois already has infrastructure supporting solar panel recycling. Several certified facilities across the Midwest accept end-of-life panels, processing them through mechanical …
