Did you Know?
One kilogram of First Solar’s semiconductor material can be recycled 41 times over, which translates into a use time of more than 1,200 years.
High-value recycling maximizes resource recovery and increases the sustainability of PV
While most PV recycling processes focus only on recovering high-mass fraction materials such as glass and frames (i.e., bulk recycling), First Solar’s high-value recycling process also provides closed-loop semiconductor recovery for use in new modules.
Program Details
First Solar offers industry-leading Recycling Service Agreements* to help PV module owners meet their end-of-life (EOL) obligation simply, cost-effectively, and responsibly:
Cost-effective
Two-year termed renewable pricing allows prices to decrease as recycling costs are reduced over time
Scalable
Designed for high-volume recycling and decommissioning
No up-front fees
“Pay as you go” model priced on a per-module basis using later year project cash flows
Flexible
Start date at module sale, throughout plant life, and/or decommissioning
Globally available
Recycling services offered in all regions of the world
Responsible
Maximizing material recovery while operating to sound and responsible global standards
Recycling Leadership
First Solar has a unique and long-standing leadership position in PV recycling as the only solar manufacturer with global in-house PV recycling capabilities and more than 15 years of experience operating high-value PV recycling facilities on a worldwide and industrial scale. Recognizing the importance of responsible product life cycle management, First Solar voluntarily established the industry’s first global solar panel recycling program in 2005 and has been investing in recycling technology improvements ever since.
First Solar currently operates recycling facilities in Ohio, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Germany. The company’s current recycling capacity is sized to accommodate current demand, and the company expects to continue scaling capacity as demand grows. In 2023, we expect to have up to 500 megawatts (MW) of recycling capacity in the United States alone.
First Solar is among more than 380 companies to sign the America Recycles pledge, which aims to address the challenges facing the nation’s recycling system and create a more resilient materials economy while protecting the environment.
Contact First Solar Recycling
*Owner is responsible for module removal, packaging, and logistics to the First Solar recycling center. Costs may vary regionally according to local market conditions
**Cadmium and tellurium separation and refining are conducted by a third-party. For pre-2013 sales customers, First Solar implements an unconditional prefunded Collection and Recycling Program for end-of-life modules. With the sale of each module, First Solar historically set aside sufficient funds to meet the estimated future collection and recycling costs of its modules. Individual modules are labeled with information for the owner on how to return the end-of-life module.
For pre-2013 sales customers, First Solar implements an unconditional prefunded Collection and Recycling Program for end-of-life modules. With the sale of each module, First Solar historically set aside sufficient funds to meet the estimated future collection and recycling costs of its modules. Individual modules are labeled with information for the owner on how to return the end-of-life module.
