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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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:
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/.
2026
| Decom Solar