SPR Expands Solar Recycling Capacity with New Technology and North Carolina Facility

In a decisive move to strengthen its leadership in solar panel recycling, SolarPanelRecycling (SPR) announced the launch of its fourth advanced recycling technology and the construction of a new 50,000-square-foot processing plant at its North Carolina headquarters. According to a company statement, the expansion will triple the site’s processing capacity from 500,000 to 1.5 million panels per year, positioning SPR to meet rising demand as the U.S. solar industry scales rapidly.

According to SPR, the newly integrated technology employs thermal separation methods, complementing three existing systems already in operation. Together, these solutions allow SPR to handle a wide variety of panel types, including bi-facial modules, and maximize material recovery rates. In addition, the company’s Texas and Georgia facilities contribute another one million panels in annual recycling capacity, creating one of the largest nationwide solar recycling networks.

“As the solar industry matures, more panels are reaching end of life just as regulations continue to evolve,” said Brett C. Henderson, CEO of SPR. “These advancements uniquely position us as the nation’s leading solar recycler, delivering both the scale and innovation the market now requires.”

Industry partners echoed this sentiment. Justin Wright, Executive Vice President of RCI Energy Services, noted that SPR’s expanded capacity will help asset owners comply with stricter end-of-life management rules while supporting a cleaner energy grid.

The timing of SPR’s announcement aligns with new solar recycling legislation in North Carolina, which takes effect on November 1, 2025, as noted by the company. The law requires solar projects larger than 2 MW to submit decommissioning plans, provide financial assurances for recycling, and meet environmental recovery standards. With an in-house compliance team and expanded infrastructure, SPR is well-positioned to help asset owners navigate these new regulatory requirements.

Analysts suggest that growing policy pressure and the sheer scale of solar deployment—over 30 GW expected annually in the U.S. by 2030—are creating a parallel surge in recycling demand. Companies with early investments in large-scale recycling infrastructure, like SPR, could gain a decisive advantage in cost efficiency, compliance, and sustainability performance.

Beyond compliance, SPR emphasizes that it is recycling at commercial scale today, with verified downstream buyers for recovered materials. By reducing transportation costs through a distributed facility network and expanding R&D in commodity separation, SPR is aiming to set the benchmark for responsible recycling practices in the renewable energy sector.

Source: SolarPanelRecycling