Comstock Secures $10.5M in Equipment for Nevada’s First Large-Scale Solar Panel Recycling Plant

Comstock Inc. has taken a major step toward scaling up clean energy recycling, announcing it has secured all equipment needed for its upcoming 100,000-ton-per-year solar panel recycling facility in Silver Springs, Nevada, according to a company release.

Following its recent equity raise, Comstock confirmed that it placed purchase orders and deposits totaling $5.1 million for the facility’s equipment, with the full cost expected at $10.5 million. An additional $1.5 million will be invested in site storage expansion, utility upgrades, and commissioning.

The Silver Springs site is designed as a certified zero-landfill recycling facility, positioning it among the first industry-scale operations in the U.S. capable of fully reclaiming materials from end-of-life photovoltaic modules.

“Our balance sheet has never been stronger as we are now rapidly deploying our industry leading technology and customer solutions,” said Corrado De Gasperis, Executive Chairman and CEO of Comstock Inc. He added that the company has already attracted “some of the most sophisticated partners for investment, feedstock, operations, and offtake.”

Dr. Fortunato Villamagna, President of Comstock Metals, highlighted the technology’s circularity: “With our system, every component of an end-of-life solar panel (glass, aluminum, semiconductor fines, and other metals) is fully and cleanly reclaimed and repurposed into new, salable raw materials.”

The company has been operating a commercial demonstration plant for 18 months and filed permits for the Nevada facility in November 2024. Revenues in 2025 are projected to exceed $3.5 million, nearly eight times higher than 2024, with further growth expected as operations scale.

The announcement comes as solar panel waste is emerging as a critical sustainability challenge worldwide. By 2030, millions of tons of retired photovoltaic modules are expected to reach end-of-life, putting pressure on recycling infrastructure. Regulatory frameworks such as the EU’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive and emerging U.S. state-level policies are also accelerating the need for specialized recycling facilities.

Comstock’s Nevada plant, with its zero-landfill design, could set a benchmark for circular economy practices in clean energy, strengthening domestic supply chains for reclaimed glass, aluminum, and semiconductor materials.

The company outlined an aggressive 10-month roadmap, including completing permits by November 2025, commissioning the facility in Q1 2026, and achieving continuous operations by Q2 2026. Plans also call for selecting two additional U.S. sites and pursuing international partnerships.

As the solar industry grows, Comstock’s investment marks a critical advancement in turning end-of-life panels into new resources. The facility could significantly boost U.S. recycling capacity while reducing landfill dependency.

Source: Comstock