Ørsted Partners with SOLARCYCLE to Recycle Solar Modules

Source: | · ORSTED · | June 06, 2023

Landmark US agreement will support Ørsted’s no-landfill policy, promote circular resource use, and drive the growth of the U.S. solar recycling industry

June 6, 2023 – Odessa, Tex. – Ørsted, a leading clean energy company, announced today a new partnership with SOLARCYCLE, a technology-based solar recycling company, to process and recycle Ørsted’s end-of-life solar modules from its projects across the U.S. The recycling services agreement supports Ørsted’s global commitment, effective immediately, to reuse or recycle 100 percent of solar panels that reach end-of-life status, a first-of-its-kind commitment in the industry. 

SOLARCYCLE opened its recycling facility in Odessa, Texas in 2022.  This agreement builds on Ørsted’s existing recycling contract for thin-film modules signed with First Solar in 2021. While Ørsted’s U.S. solar projects are still in the early stages of their lifetime, Ørsted has already recycled 4,000 panels. The SOLARCYCLE agreement provides Ørsted with a portfolio-wide recycling solution for crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar modules so that all of Ørsted’s projects have recycling coverage. 

“Solar energy is an integral part of Ørsted’s growing land-based portfolio and is one of the most powerful technologies we have to produce the clean energy our communities and business partners need,” said David Hardy, Group EVP and CEO Americas at Ørsted. “As a leader in sustainability, we are thrilled to work with such an innovative American company to ensure c-Si solar modules are disposed of properly and to support a company spearheading solutions on behalf of the solar industry. Not only does this advance sustainability for Ørsted and the industry, but it also strengthens the American renewable energy supply chain.”