Recycling of Photovoltaic Panels

UTICA® Singapore specializes in premium rooftop solar installations for all types of homes—from compact residences to large estates—offering solutions that seamlessly integrate with each property's architectural style and landscape. Every project begins with a thorough site assessment, evaluating roof orientation, structural capacity, and design priorities to customize solar systems that enhance both function and form.

With high-efficiency PV modules, Rapid 600 optimizers, and PV6 hybrid inverters, UTICA® delivers discreet, reliable, and aesthetically refined energy solutions. Their comprehensive service includes real-time system monitoring, ongoing maintenance support, and facilitation of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs), ensuring homeowners enjoy long-term energy savings and environmental value.

As more homeowners across Singapore adopt solar energy, an important question emerges: what happens when solar panels reach the end of their lifespan? Photovoltaic (PV) modules typically last 25–30 years, but may be replaced earlier due to physical damage or technological upgrades. With Singapore’s total solar capacity expected to exceed 1.2 GW by 2024, the country is projected to generate around 3,000 tonnes of PV waste in 2024–25—a figure that could rise to approximately 6,600 tonnes by 2030. Without proper recycling and disposal systems in place, this growing volume of solar waste could lead to serious environmental and landfill challenges.

Under Singapore’s Resource Sustainability Act, solar PV panels are regulated as E-waste under the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. Suppliers are obligated to offer free take-back services for disused panels and channel them to licensed e-waste recyclers—currently four accredited recyclers operate in Singapore. These providers must meet strict material recovery targets (at least 70% recovery for PV panels) under the 2021 regulations.

Architectural Stewardship: Residential projects of all types increasingly value both aesthetic quality and long-term sustainability—proper end-of-life (EOL) management supports these goals by aligning with high standards of design integrity and environmental responsibility.

Regulatory Compliance: UTICA® installations are backed by local infrastructure and partnerships, ensuring that solar panels can be responsibly recycled and disposed of in accordance with mandatory take-back and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.

Circular Economy & ESG: Homeowners across all property types can demonstrate transparent sustainability efforts—through panel recycling, carbon footprint reduction, material reclamation, and natural resource preservation—supporting broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) objectives.

UTICA® incorporates end-of-life considerations into every system design, providing detailed documentation on supplier take-back programs and recycling logistics. Homeowners receive comprehensive tracking and reporting data, including material weights reclaimed, CO₂ savings, and certificates confirming proper disposal. When panels degrade or are upgraded—such as repowering with REC Alpha modules—UTICA® manages the coordinated reuse, recycling, or return of equipment in compliance with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) guidelines. This integrated lifecycle approach ensures that solar investments remain fully sustainable, from installation on the rooftop through to responsible recycling.