America’s Next Big Environmental Win: Solar Decommissioning Done Right with Decom Solar
Why Solar’s Legacy Matters & Why Decommissioning Is the Next Frontier
Over the past two decades, solar installations have surged across the U.S. as a cornerstone of clean energy and sustainability. Yet what many builders, owners, and developers didn’t account for: solar modules don’t last forever. With an average lifespan of 15 – 20 years, and many commercial/industrial systems approaching that threshold, we’re on the cusp of a tidal wave of “solar retirement.”
Estimates suggest millions of tons of solar waste may enter the global waste stream in the coming decades. If handled carelessly, that poses a significant environmental burden. But if handled intentionally? It’s a chance to turn legacy solar panels into a national recycling and circular-economy success story.
At Decom Solar, we believe this is more than just waste management; it’s America’s next great environmental opportunity.
The Decom Solar Difference: Turnkey Decommissioning, Zero Landfill, Full Transparency
With over 20 years of commercial and industrial solar engineering and deployment experience, Decom Solar emerged to answer a glaring industry gap: “What happens when solar systems near end-of-life?”
We built a company dedicated exclusively to end-of-life solar solutions; not installation, not sales, but responsible, full-service decommissioning and recycling.
- Site assessment, permitting, and incentive-management
- Deconstruction, utility termination, and system removal
- Recycling, resale, donation, or repowering of salvageable components
- Site restoration (roof, ground, parking lot, or land)
- End-of-project compliance documentation for ESG / regulatory transparency
Whether your goal is full system removal, temporary removal (for roof repair or re-roofing), system upgrade (repowering), or redeployment, Decom Solar handles everything, with no burden on you.
Sustainable, Circular & Compliant: How We Handle Solar Waste
Rather than viewing end-of-life solar panels as waste, we see them as ready-made value streams: glass, aluminum, copper, steel – all recyclable, all recoverable. Where panels or components still function, we prioritize refurbishment, resale, or donation to extend their life and delay recycling.
When reuse isn’t possible, we work only with SEIA-approved recycling facilities, ensuring proper material recovery and compliance with state and federal environmental regulations.
Beyond recycling, we’re committed to real-world impact: for every solar module we keep out of a landfill, we contribute to One Tree Planted. It’s a reminder that solar sustainability doesn’t end at energy generation; it extends to the full lifecycle.
Real Results: Building the Solar Circular Economy, One Project at a Time
Decom Solar isn’t theoretical; we’ve already executed dozens of projects nationwide. For example, in 2023, we partnered with PowerFlex and Target Corporation to decommission a 360 kW rooftop array in Los Angeles. The system was dismantled, the modules sent to recycling via SOLARCYCLE, and nearly 4,795 trees were pledged through our reforestation commitment.
Nationally, we support everything from repowering and re-roofing projects to full decommissioning, across commercial, industrial, and utility-scale solar assets
Why Now? The Case for Proactive Solar Lifecycle Management
- Regulatory tides are shifting – more states are requiring detailed decommissioning plans before approving new solar construction permits.
- Most existing solar assets were installed 20 years ago – meaning a wave of systems will need end-of-life plans soon.
- Environmental liability & ESG obligations are rising – asset owners and developers have more to lose if legacy systems are abandoned or improperly disposed of.
- A chance to lead the circular economy – early movers like Decom Solar can define standards for responsible solar decommissioning and set a new industry norm.
If You Own Solar, It’s Time to Act
Whether you manage a commercial rooftop system, an industrial solar installation, or a utility-scale field, now is the time to start planning for end-of-life. Decom Solar will:
- assess your site and inventory
- determine whether to refurbish/reuse, donate, recycle, or repower
- handle permitting, utility termination, removal, and disposal/redeployment
- restore the site and deliver full documentation for compliance and ESG reporting
If you’d like to ensure your solar assets (and their materials) continue serving the planet instead of filling a landfill, https://decomsolar.com/contact/.
