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Solar Power

Asked by Christine JardineLiberal DemocratDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 21347

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of establishing a recognised second-life certification pathway for solar PV.

Answered by Department for Energy Security and Net Zero

This is not something we have made an assessment of, although note it would support the transition to a circular economy.

We note that solar panels are nontoxic, with around 85% of their materials being suitable for recycling.

Legislation is in place to control the disposal of solar equipment at the end of its life for the collection and recycling of old PV panels with some companies globally and in the UK able to take the materials from the panels to use in different industries.

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