Waste Solar Panel Recycling Plant (10–20 Tons Per Day)

 

Executive Summary

The project aims to establish a state-of-the-art solar panel recycling facility capable of processing 10–20 tons of waste solar panels daily, including rejected, end-of-life, and municipal panels. The plant will recover high-value materials such as J-boxes, aluminum frames, copper, silicon powder, and plastics, supporting circular economy initiatives and sustainable waste management.

Objectives:

• Provide complete recycling solutions for all types of solar panels.
• Recover materials for reuse in industrial applications.
• Minimize environmental impact of solar panel waste.

Proposed Technology Options:

1. Fully automatic recycling solution with robotic feeding system
2. Fully automatic recycling solution without robotic feeding system
3. Semi-automatic frame & J-box removal + shredding & sorting plant

 

2. Plant Capacity & Layout

Parameter	Full Auto w/ Robot	Full Auto w/o Robot	Semi-Auto + Shredding
Processing Capacity	50–60 pcs/h (1000–2000 kg/h)	50–60 pcs/h (1000–2000 kg/h)	35–45 pcs/h (500–1200 kg/h)
Daily Throughput	20 tons/day +	20 tons/day +	10 tons/day +
Labour Required	4–5	5–6	5–6
Machine Footprint (L×W×H)	‾45 × 8.5 × 5.2 m	‾39 × 8.5 × 5.2 m	‾31 × 6.3 × 5 m
Rated Power Consumption	180 kW	170 kW	189 kW
Recovered Products	J-box, Aluminum frame, Copper, Silicon powder, Plastic	J-box, Aluminum frame, Copper, Silicon powder, Plastic	J-box, Aluminum frame, Copper, Silicon powder, Plastic
Automation Level	Fully automatic	Fully automatic	Semi-automatic

 

3. Technology Description

3.1 Fully Automatic Recycling Solution (with Robotic Feeding)

• Features: Robotic feeding, fully automated material handling, precise sorting.
• Advantages: High efficiency, low labor dependency, enhanced safety.
• Energy Consumption: ‾180 kW

3.2 Fully Automatic Recycling Solution (without Robotic Feeding)

• Features: Conveyor-fed panels, automatic shredding and sorting.
• Advantages: Moderate cost, automated recovery process.
• Energy Consumption: ‾170 kW

3.3 Semi-Automatic Frame & J-Box Removal + Shredding & Sorting Plant

• Features: Manual pre-treatment (frame and J-box removal), automatic shredding and sorting.
• Advantages: Cost-effective, easy maintenance, moderate automation.
• Capacity: 35–45 pcs/h (500–1200 kg/h)
• Energy Consumption: ‾189 kW

 

4. Process Workflow

1. Receiving & Storage:
   Waste panels are stored safely in the raw material yard.
2. Pre-treatment:
• Manual or robotic removal of frames and J-boxes depending on chosen technology.
3. Shredding & Sorting:
• Panels are shredded, and materials are separated automatically.
4. Material Recovery:
• Aluminum frames → recycled aluminum
• Copper wiring → scrap or industrial reuse
• Silicon powder → feedstock for industrial applications
• Plastics → recycled for industrial use

 

5. Utilities Requirement

Utility	Requirement
Electricity	170–190 kW (depending on technology)
Labour	4–6 operators per shift
Compressed Air	‾100–150 L/min
Water	Minimal, for cleaning and dust suppression

 

6. Financial Overview (Indicative)

Solution	Estimated Plant Cost (USD)	Installation & Commissioning	Total CapEx (USD)
Full Auto w/ Robot	525,000	50,000	575,000
Full Auto w/o Robot	435,000	50,000	485,000
Semi-Auto + Shredding	270,000	50,000	320,000

Notes:

• FOB price range for equipment: USD 270,000 – 525,000.
• The above estimated costs for installation, commissioning, and total CapEx are indicative and provided for calculation purposes only.
• Actual costs may vary depending on technology choice, plant configuration, shipping, local regulations, and other factors.

Revenue Streams:

• Sale of recovered aluminum, copper, silicon powder, and plastics
• Recycling service fees from waste solar panel suppliers
• Optional consultancy on solar panel waste management

 

7. Environmental & Regulatory Compliance

• Designed to comply with environmental regulations and safety standards.
• Dust collection and filtration systems for air pollution control.
• Proper handling and disposal of any hazardous waste.
• Emphasis on circular economy and material recovery maximization.

 

8. Project Implementation Schedule

Activity	Duration
Project Design & Equipment Procurement	2–3 months
Shipping & Customs Clearance	1 month
Installation & Commissioning	2–3 months
Trial Production	1 month
Commercial Operation	Month 7 onwards

 

9. Risk Assessment

• Raw Material Availability Risk: Mitigation via partnerships with installers, municipalities, and waste collectors.
• Market Price Risk: Fluctuating prices of recovered materials mitigated by long-term supply agreements.
• Operational Risk: Equipment downtime mitigated by preventive maintenance and trained operators.

 

10. Conclusion

This 10–20 tons/day solar panel recycling plant is aligned with renewable energy sustainability, circular economy principles, and environmental compliance. It offers significant material recovery, cost-effective operations, and potential for high ROI for investors, while addressing the growing issue of solar panel waste.

11. Trade Terms

Article 1: Offer Validity

• The quotation is valid for 30 days from the date of issue.

Article 2: Packing and Quality

• Origin: China
• Quality: As per export standards of the manufacturer, 100% brand new equipment.
• Packing: Standard export packing suitable for seaworthy containers for safe sea transport.

Article 3: Delivery

• Mode of Transportation: Sea freight
• Loading Port: Any port in China
• Destination Port: As per buyer’s request; shipping can also be handled by the supplier.
• Production Period: Within 100–120 working days after receipt of down payment.

Article 4: Terms of Payment

• 40% T/T as deposit
• 30% T/T after one month of production
• Balance: Paid by T/T after inspection and before delivery

Article 5: Warranty

• Duration: One year from the date of arrival at the destination port
• Coverage:
• Manufacturer responsible for malfunctions caused by machine defects or quality issues.
• Buyer responsible for malfunctions caused by operational errors or human factors.

Article 6: After-Sale Service

• Upon request, one technician will be sent to the buyer’s country for installation and commissioning guidance.
• Buyer to arrange 5–6 workers for installation and commissioning.
• Installation Salary: USD 120 per person per day, payable in advance before the engineer’s visit.