What Materials Can Be Recovered
The largest component, forming the top protective layer.
Frame & structural supports, 100% recyclable.
Photovoltaic core that converts sunlight into electricity.
Encases & protects the cells from weather & damage.
Modern solar panels contain valuable materials that can be recovered, refined, and returned to use in new manufacturing – reducing waste and supporting the circular economy.
Our Recovery Process
- Collect
- Dismantle
- Separate
- Refine
- Certify
Our recovery process begins with the careful collection of panels from your site, using safe handling procedures to prevent any further damage or contamination. Once at our facility, the panels are dismantled to remove aluminium frames, junction boxes, and wiring, which are sent straight into the recycling stream.
From there, the remaining panel layers are separated, with glass, plastics, and silicon carefully divided using advanced mechanical and thermal techniques. These materials then move into the refinement stage, where silicon is purified for reuse, aluminium is melted and reformed, and plastics are graded for suitable second-life applications.
Finally, we certify every order by issuing a detailed destruction report. This document confirms the safe destruction of all panels, provides a breakdown of the recovered material types and quantities.
You can read more about the process here:
> What recovered from old solar panels
At SRS, we process each panel type with precision to achieve the highest possible recovery rates.
Recovered Materials & Their Uses
Glass
95% of glass is reclaimed, ready for reuse in new products.
Metals
Aluminium frames, silver (0.05%) copper wiring (2%) components are fully recycled.
Silicon (3%)
Silicon wafers are processed and reconditioned for potential reuse in new panels.
Plastics
Recovered from encasings and cables
Solar Panel Types Eligible for Material Recovery
Silicon-Based Panels
These panels, made from glass, plastics, aluminium, silicon, and trace metals, are up to 99% recyclable. Silicon-based panels have minimal cadmium, making them more straightforward to process. Recovered silicon is sent to our silicon refinement division, where it’s purified and graded for reuse in electronics or solar manufacturing.
Why We Don’t Handle Thin-Film Panels
Thin-film solar panels contain hazardous substances such as cadmium telluride and require complex chemical treatments to recycle safely. These processes are resource-intensive, carry pollution risks, and are not commercially or environmentally viable for our operations. For this reason, SRS does not accept thin-film panels — allowing us to focus on maximising safe, high-volume recovery from silicon-based panels.
Choose SRS for solar panel recycling that keeps 100% of recovered materials in the UK. We guarantee nothing is exported for low-grade processing — every resource stays in the domestic supply chain, supporting British manufacturing, reducing carbon emissions, and proving your commitment to sustainability.