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What happens to solar panels after 25 years?
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What happens to solar panels after 25 years?
👤 Arundhati Roy from Kerala👁 33 views💬 1 answers
lifespanrecyclinge-wasteend of life
Once the 25-year lifespan of my solar system is over, do the panels just stop working? Can they be recycled in India, or are they toxic waste?
💬 1 Answer
👤 Green Energy Advocate from Delhi
Solar panels do not suddenly 'die' at 25 years; their efficiency just drops to about 80% of their original capacity. They will continue generating power for 30-40 years. When you do dispose of them, they are NOT toxic waste. Over 90% of a solar panel is made of highly recyclable materials: glass, aluminum frame, and silicon. In India, e-waste recycling companies are already setting up specialized PV recycling plants to recover the silver and aluminum.