Discarding Used Solar Panels in Landfills Poses ‘Significant’ Pollution Risk, Gov’t Says

Global Affairs Canada is seeking a contractor who can present an environmentally friendly way to recycle solar panels.
Discarding Used Solar Panels in Landfills Poses ‘Significant’ Pollution Risk, Gov’t Says
A worker installs solar panels on the rooftop of a house in Pomona, Calif., on Oct. 19, 2023. Mario Tama/Getty Images
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Landfilling of used solar panels poses a “significant” pollution risk due to toxic chemicals potentially leaching into groundwater, a government document says.

To solve this issue, Global Affairs Canada is seeking a contractor who can present a cost-effective and environmentally friendly way to recycle solar panels, according to a July 23 notice on the government website.

“Solar panels have valuable materials, including critical materials such as aluminum, tellurium, and antimony as well as gallium and indium in some thin-film modules, which are currently not being recycled once the panels reach their end of life,” said the notice posted by Global Affairs Canada.