Yes, solar panels can be recycled, and in Alberta, the way they’re handled at the end of their life is changing.
On October 1, 2026, Alberta is launching a formal solar panel recycling program designed to keep end-of-life solar panels out of landfills and recover valuable materials for reuse.
For Alberta homeowners considering solar, this addresses an important question: what happens to solar panels decades from now when they eventually reach the end of their useful life?
Here’s what you need to know about solar panel recycling, Alberta’s new program and what happens to the materials inside a solar panel.
Table of contents
- Can solar panels be recycled?
- What’s changing with solar panel recycling in Alberta?
- Can solar panels go into Alberta landfills?
- Is there a solar panel recycling fee in Alberta?
- Why is Alberta introducing solar panel recycling now?
- How are solar panels recycled?
- Can old solar panels be reused instead of recycled?
- What parts of a solar panel can be recycled?
- How long do solar panels last before they need to be recycled?
- What does Alberta’s recycling program mean for homeowners with solar?
- Does solar panel recycling make solar more sustainable?
- Solar panel recycling in Alberta: Frequently asked questions
1. Can solar panels be recycled?
Yes. Many of the materials used to manufacture solar panels can be recovered and recycled.
According to the Canadian Renewable Energy Association’s facts sheet, approximately 90% of a solar panel by mass can be recycled. Common solar panel materials include glass, aluminum, copper, silicon and other metals.
Solar panels also have a long lifespan. Most are designed to continue producing electricity for decades rather than suddenly stop working after a set number of years.
That long lifespan is one reason solar panel recycling has historically received less attention than the recycling of products with much shorter replacement cycles. As Canada’s installed solar capacity grows, however, planning for what happens to those systems at the end of their useful lives is becoming increasingly important.
Alberta is now taking a significant step in that direction.
Considering solar for your home? Get a free solar quote to see what a system could look like for your property and how much you could potentially save.
2. What’s changing with solar panel recycling in Alberta?
Beginning October 1, 2026, Alberta will launch a formal provincial solar panel recycling program.
The program follows a solar panel recycling pilot conducted between 2022 and 2025 by the Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA), working with government, industry, recyclers and other partners.
During the pilot, ARMA collected and sorted thousands of solar panels to better understand how panels could be tested for reuse and how their materials could ultimately be recycled.
The permanent program establishes a system for collecting and managing end-of-life solar panels in Alberta rather than sending them to landfill.
The program covers eligible solar panels used in:
- Residential solar installations
- Commercial solar installations
- Industrial applications
- Utility-scale solar projects
Covered products include crystalline silicon technologies such as monocrystalline and polycrystalline panels, as well as several types of thin-film solar panels. Eligible panels are generally those measuring one square metre or larger.
3. Can solar panels go into Alberta landfills?
Alberta is moving to keep end-of-life solar panels out of landfills as part of the province’s new recycling framework.
Solar panels were added to Alberta’s regulated recycling framework following changes announced in 2024. The goal is to establish responsible end-of-life management for these products as the number of solar installations in the province continues to grow.
Instead of treating an old solar panel as waste, the new approach is intended to recover usable materials and support a more circular economy.
For homeowners, that means a solar system installed today has a clearer end-of-life pathway than solar systems installed in Alberta in the past.
4. Is there a solar panel recycling fee in Alberta?
As part of the program, ARMA has proposed a $14 environmental fee per eligible solar panel, beginning October 1, 2026.
The environmental fee is intended to support the collection, transportation and responsible recycling of panels when they reach the end of their useful lives.
For context, if the $14 fee applies:
- A 10-panel system would represent $140 in environmental fees.
- A 15-panel system would represent $210.
- A 20-panel system would represent $280.
- A 25-panel system would represent $350.
The fee is associated with new eligible panels supplied into the Alberta market rather than being a charge placed retroactively on solar panels that homeowners already have installed.
Because program requirements and fees are administered through ARMA and may be updated, homeowners considering solar should confirm the current applicable fee when receiving their solar proposal.
5. Why is Alberta introducing solar panel recycling now?
Solar installations have grown considerably in Alberta, but solar panels typically remain in service for decades.
That means there is a significant delay between installing a panel and eventually needing to manage it at the end of life.
Creating a recycling system now allows Alberta to prepare for larger volumes of retired solar equipment in the future rather than waiting until those panels begin entering the waste stream in significant numbers.
The province’s approach is based on the idea of a circular economy: keeping useful materials in circulation through reuse, repair, refurbishment and recycling rather than disposing of them as waste.
6. How are solar panels recycled?
A typical solar panel is made from several different materials bonded together to create a durable product capable of spending decades outdoors.
That durability makes solar panels excellent at producing electricity, but it can make separating their individual components more complicated.
The recycling process varies depending on the panel technology and recycling facility, but generally involves separating and recovering materials such as:
- Aluminum from the frame
- Glass covering the panel
- Copper from wiring and electrical components
- Silicon from photovoltaic cells
- Other metals, which may include small amounts of silver
Once separated, materials such as glass and aluminum can enter established recycling streams, while other components may require more specialized processing.
ARMA’s Alberta pilot found that solar panels present some unique recycling challenges because of their size, layered construction and combination of glass, plastics, wiring and metals.
Those same panels, however, contain valuable materials that can potentially be recovered instead of being discarded.
7. Can old solar panels be reused instead of recycled?
Sometimes.
A solar panel reaching the end of its original installation doesn’t necessarily mean it has stopped generating electricity entirely.
Solar panels generally experience gradual degradation over time. Depending on the condition of the panel, some may potentially be tested, refurbished or repurposed before recycling becomes necessary.
During Alberta’s recycling pilot, ARMA explored both recycling and reuse. The pilot demonstrated that testing and preparing panels for reuse can present practical and economic challenges, particularly when panels have damaged wiring, connectors, glass or other components.
That means reuse won’t necessarily be appropriate for every panel.
When a panel can no longer be safely or practically reused, recycling provides another way of recovering its materials.
8. What parts of a solar panel can be recycled?
Solar panels contain several materials with established or developing recycling pathways.
Glass
Glass makes up a significant portion of the weight of a conventional solar panel. Once separated from the other components, recovered glass can potentially be processed for use in other products and industrial applications.
Aluminum
The aluminum frame surrounding most solar panels can be removed and recycled through established metal recycling processes.
Copper
Solar systems contain copper in wiring and electrical components that can be separated and recovered.
Silicon
Most residential solar panels installed today use crystalline silicon solar cells. Specialized recycling processes can recover silicon-containing material from retired modules.
Other metals
Solar panels can contain smaller quantities of other valuable materials, including silver. The exact composition depends on the manufacturer, technology and age of the panel.
9. How long do solar panels last before they need to be recycled?
Solar panels are long-life energy assets.
While product and performance warranties vary by manufacturer, modern solar panels are commonly designed to produce electricity for 25 years or longer.
Reaching the end of a warranty period also doesn’t necessarily mean a solar panel suddenly stops working. Solar panels typically lose a small amount of production capacity gradually over time.
A panel may therefore continue producing useful electricity beyond its original warranty period.
Whether a panel should eventually be reused, repaired or recycled depends on its condition, performance and the economics of keeping it in service.
10. What does Alberta’s recycling program mean for homeowners with solar?
If you already have solar panels installed, Alberta’s new program doesn’t mean you suddenly need to replace or recycle them.
Your panels can continue generating electricity as normal.
Instead, the program creates an end-of-life pathway for panels when they eventually need to be removed.
For homeowners considering a new solar installation, the program also provides greater clarity around one of the industry’s long-term environmental questions: what happens to all these panels when they’re finished producing electricity?
Rather than leaving that question for decades from now, Alberta is establishing a system to manage those materials today.
11. Does solar panel recycling make solar more sustainable?
Solar panels generate electricity without burning fuel during operation, but sustainability shouldn’t stop once a system reaches the end of its useful life.
Recovering materials such as aluminum, glass, copper and silicon can reduce waste and keep valuable resources in circulation.
That’s why responsible end-of-life management is an important part of the continued growth of solar energy.
At Zeno Renewables, we believe sustainability should consider the full lifecycle of the technologies we install – from designing a solar system that can produce clean electricity for decades to considering what eventually happens to its components.
Alberta’s new solar panel recycling program is another step toward building that lifecycle into the province’s growing solar industry.
Thinking about making solar part of your home’s future? See what solar could look like for your property, including your potential energy savings, with our Solar Savings Calculator.
12. Solar panel recycling in Alberta: Frequently asked questions
Can solar panels be recycled in Alberta?
Yes. Alberta is launching a formal solar panel recycling program on October 1, 2026. The program establishes a system for collecting and recycling eligible end-of-life solar panels.
When does Alberta’s solar panel recycling program start?
The program launches October 1, 2026.
How much is the solar panel recycling fee in Alberta?
ARMA has identified a draft environmental fee of $14 per eligible solar panel beginning October 1, 2026. Program fees may be updated, so homeowners should confirm the current fee when purchasing a system.
Does the recycling fee apply to solar panels I already own?
The environmental fee is associated with eligible new panels supplied into Alberta under the program. It is not a retroactive $14 charge on every solar panel already installed on Alberta homes.
Do solar panels stop working after 25 years?
Not necessarily. Solar panels generally degrade gradually rather than suddenly stopping after 25 years. Depending on their condition and output, panels may continue generating electricity beyond their warranty period.
What materials can be recovered from solar panels?
Solar panels contain recyclable and recoverable materials including glass, aluminum, copper, silicon and other metals. The exact recovery process depends on the panel technology and recycling facility.
Can old solar panels be reused?
Potentially. Some panels may still produce useful electricity even if they’re no longer suitable for their original installation. Their condition, electrical performance and safety need to be considered before reuse.
Thinking about going solar in Alberta?
Solar is a long-term investment, and understanding the entire lifecycle of your system matters.
Zeno Renewables has helped thousands of Canadian homeowners make the switch to solar. Our team can help you understand system sizing, expected production, warranties, costs and what owning a solar system looks like over the long term.
Ready to see whether solar makes sense for your home? Get a free custom solar quote & design today.
