Hanwha Qcells Expands U.S. Manufacturing Operations With Launch Of Solar Recycling Business, EcoRecycle

New solar recycling business positions Hanwha Qcells as a full-cycle clean energy provider with expanded U.S. infrastructure

Hanwha Solutions Qcells Division (Hanwha Qcells), a global leader in complete clean energy solutions, has announced the launch of EcoRecycle by Qcells, a new vertical for the company in solar panel recycling. As the first generation of solar installations reach end-of-life (EOL), EcoRecycle will address the growing challenge of solar panel waste while reducing the industry’s overall environmental footprint.

This year, EcoRecycle will launch recycling operations at a state-of-the-art facility in Cartersville, Georgia. At full capacity, EcoRecycle’s facility in Georgia will have the ability to recycle approximately 250 megawatts (MW) of solar panels annually — around 500,000 panels per year — repurposing materials like aluminum, glass, silver, and copper. With plans to expand its recycling centers across the U.S., EcoRecycle aims to optimize logistics and scale up operations to enhance efficiency.

“As the U.S. moves towards a more sustainable and self-reliant solar industry, EcoRecycle by Qcells is committed to pioneering innovative recycling technologies that not only reduce environmental impact, but also create economic opportunities,” said Jung-Kwon Hong, Head of Hanwha Qcells Manufacturing Group. “Through strategic investments and cutting-edge solutions, we are positioning ourselves as a leader in the circular economy, ensuring that solar energy remains a truly renewable and responsible power source.”

“With this new business, Hanwha Qcells will emerge as the first-ever crystalline silicon (C-Si) solar panel producer to possess a full value chain, conducting both solar panel manufacturing and recycling on U.S. soil,” said Kelly Weger, Senior Director of Sustainability at Hanwha Qcells. “Effectively managing solar waste is essential to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the clean energy sector. We’re proud to be leading the charge with the launch of EcoRecycle by Qcells.”

Hanwha Qcells’ expansion into solar recycling is part of its commitment to manufacturing, sustainable energy, and circular economy practices in the U.S. Given the dominant role solar energy plays in all new energy generation, it is important to build the infrastructure needed to recycle retired equipment. The number of decommissioned panels is anticipated to continue increasing annually. EcoRecycle is taking proactive steps to address this growing challenge and opportunity through innovative recycling solutions.

Positioning itself at the forefront of the waste-to-resource industry, EcoRecycle is focusing on three key initiatives. First, offering a cost-saving take-back service with low recycling fees, ensuring seamless, affordable, and responsible solar panel disposal. Next, advancing proprietary high-purity resource separation technology to maximize material recovery, reuse, and sustainability in solar recycling. Lastly, reducing carbon emissions in PV panels production through the utilization of recycled resources, strengthening the domestic supply chain, and promoting a circular solar economy.

Currently, the lack of mandatory recycling regulations has led to the majority of waste solar panels being sent to landfills. However, with state-level discussions on mandatory recycling policies gaining momentum in the U.S., the solar recycling industry is rapidly evolving. New advancements in recycling technology are driving cost reductions and enhancing the value of recovered materials through high-purity resource extraction methods.