As the solar industry continues its rapid expansion, a quieter—but equally important—challenge is emerging: what happens to solar panels when they reach the end of their life? While solar panels are built to last 25–30 years or more, a growing number of early replacements, storm-damaged systems, and industry upgrades have pushed the need for scalable recycling solutions. One new Florida-based venture may be part of the answer.

OnePlanet Recycling Opens in Florida

A company called OnePlanet Recycling has launched a facility in Florida focused on responsibly breaking down used solar panels. While many current “recyclers” simply send stripped panels to landfills after removing basic components, OnePlanet takes things further. Its process extracts materials like aluminum, glass, silicon, silver, and copper—important resources that can be reused to make new panels or support other industries.

The company is part of a broader effort to build out a domestic solar circular economy. Instead of shipping waste overseas or burying it in landfills, this approach keeps materials in circulation and reduces the need for newly mined resources. That has real benefits for both sustainability and national supply chains, particularly as the U.S. seeks to ramp up clean energy manufacturing.

Why Solar Recycling Matters

Although solar is one of the cleanest energy sources available, no energy technology is entirely without waste. And as the industry matures, its long-term footprint becomes a more pressing concern. Organizations like the National Renewable Energy Laboratory estimate that cumulative panel waste in the U.S. could reach 1 million tons by 2030 and grow sharply beyond that without recycling infrastructure in place.

That’s where companies like OnePlanet fit in—helping the industry reduce waste and environmental impact, while also recovering valuable materials that might otherwise be lost. If successful, these efforts can help bring solar energy closer to being a truly closed-loop system.

A Local Win with Broader Implications

The fact that this facility is launching in Florida—where solar adoption is strong and growing—makes the story even more relevant. In a state that’s home to frequent hurricanes and intense UV exposure, early system retirements and damage can be more common than elsewhere. That makes local recycling capacity all the more valuable.

For Florida homeowners thinking about solar, it’s another positive signal that the industry is maturing responsibly. Knowing that old or damaged panels won’t simply become waste helps reinforce solar’s long-term sustainability story.

Our Take at Aspire Solar

At Aspire Solar, we welcome developments like this. While we focus on delivering high-performance systems built to last, we also know that clean energy is about more than just the present—it’s about planning for the future. Responsible recycling options, especially here in Florida, are part of that vision.