Solarcycle Partners with RWE Clean Energy for Sustainable Solar Panel Recycling

Solarcycle, a leading solar panel recycling technology company based in Arizona, has officially announced a new Recycling Services Agreement with RWE Clean Energy, one of the largest renewable energy companies in the United States. This partnership will ensure the sustainable recycling of solar panels from various RWE solar projects at the end of their operational lives, significantly contributing to the development of a circular economy for solar energy in the U.S.

The collaboration comes as part of RWE’s broader commitment to fostering a zero-waste, circular economy in the renewable energy sector, which is essential to meeting the growing demand for clean energy in the U.S. According to industry sources, solar energy installations in the U.S. are expected to triple by 2030, underscoring the importance of creating sustainable solutions for panel disposal and recycling.

RWE’s decision to partner with Solarcycle follows a comprehensive selection process, which involved evaluating the company’s recycling capabilities in detail. Panels from RWE’s West of the Pecos solar facility in Texas were transported to Solarcycle’s Odessa facility, where the entire recycling process was carefully assessed and audited. Independent third-party laboratory tests confirmed the high purity of recovered materials, including lead-free glass and metals, which meet industry-leading standards for material quality.

“We applaud RWE’s commitment to a circular economy, clearly demonstrated through their rigorous quality testing,” said Jesse Simons, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of Solarcycle. “RWE has a sophisticated understanding of solar panel recycling and knows the right questions to ask. We encourage everyone in the solar industry to insist on these high standards for recycling and back it up with extensive third-party testing.”

At the heart of the partnership is Solarcycle’s proprietary technology, which is protected by a series of patents. Developed in the company’s cutting-edge research and development facilities, this technology enables the extraction of up to 95% of a solar panel’s value, including aluminum, silver, copper, silicon, and glass. This high level of material recovery supports U.S. manufacturing by feeding critical resources back into domestic supply chains, further reducing the environmental impact of solar energy production.

According to Solarcycle, its national network includes facilities in Arizona, Texas, and Georgia, providing extensive coverage to support RWE’s growing operational asset base across the U.S. The company has already processed nearly 500,000 solar panels, making it the leading solar panel recycler in North America. It is on track to meet its ambitious goal of recycling 1 million panels by the end of 2025.

With over 90 leading energy companies choosing Solarcycle as their recycling partner, the company has firmly established itself as a key player in the solar panel recycling industry. In 2024, Solarcycle and RWE successfully collaborated on recycling projects at RWE’s Alamo 7, West of the Pecos, and Big Star solar sites. The two companies are set to continue and expand their partnership throughout 2025 and beyond, as the demand for responsible recycling solutions continues to grow.

Source: Solarcycle