

Silver and internal copper are valuable components, but panels typically contain very small amounts of these materials. Other materials located within the solar cells may be more difficult to recycle. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Other materials that are easily recyclable include the aluminum frame, copper wire, and plastic junction box. Glass composes most of the weight of a solar panel (about 75 percent), and glass recycling is already a well-established industry. Many of these components can be recycled.

The polymer layers seal the panel from exposure to weather but can make recycling and panel disassembling difficult, as high temperatures are often required to loosen the adhesive. This type of panel is constructed with an aluminum frame, glass, copper wire, polymer layers and a backsheet, silicon solar cells, and a plastic junction box. Recycling OverviewĬrystalline-silicon solar technology represents most of the solar panel market share.
#Solar battery backup for disasters boise how to
These panels can be put throughout a business park to help with traffic lights and even lighting up walkways.For information on how to choose a responsible recycler, read the following fact sheet.Īnother way to choose a responsible recycler is to find recyclers that operate under recycling standards set by accredited organizations like SERI’s R2 Standard or the e-Stewards standard. Commercial solar companies in Pocatello can help with this as they will answer any questions you might have about certain panels. If the average panel of one company lasts for 20 years while another commonly goes over 30 years, the decision is easy to make. The durability and life of the panels should also play a huge role in a decision. Certain manufacturers are known for better products when it comes to efficiency. The importance of researching the company that you are working with cannot be understated. Cheaper panels that do not use the highest quality materials simply won’t meet expectations when compared to better models. Most panels range from 17 to 22 percent efficiency but this truly depends on the quality of the panels. The reason for this is the square footage of the panel as larger panels can absorb more solar energy. Finding the right Pocatello commercial solar panel company will depend on your needs and proximity to the area.Ĭommercial solar panels are going to be more efficient per panel than their residential counterparts. There is a misconception that panels have to be put on roofs but they can be installed in a variety of areas.

Businesses can also utilize these panels next to a walkway as they just need a ground mount. The frame that the panel is put on only adds weight so this is going to differ depending on the frame. These are going to be heavier due to the size than residential panels with most weighing well above 50 pounds. A small business might be able to use residential panels as they simply do not need that much power to be provided.Ī common commercial solar panel is going to be 77 inches by 39 inches. Solar panel size does fluctuate though depending on the company and the needs of a business. A home might only have a few people living in it while a business could have hundreds working there at the same time. These are going to be larger than residential solar panels as businesses on average need far more energy. Commercial solar panels are also called 72 or 96 cell solar panels.
