Waste Experts and City Electrical Factors (CEF) are proud to announce a groundbreaking exclusive partnership with ROSI, a Frenchinnovator in solar panel recycling. This collaboration directly addresses a growing challenge in the renewable energy sector – the responsible recycling and treatment of end-of-life solar panels.
As the UK accelerates its transition to clean energy, with the Clean Power 2030 Action Plan targeting 45-47 GW of solar power, the need for sustainable recycling and recovery of materials from solar panels at the end of their lifecycle has never been more urgent.
By 2025, over one million tonnes of PV modules will require recycling across Europe, yet the UK currently lacks the necessary infrastructure. Despite the booming adoption of solar technology, there are still too few authorised treatment facilities capable of meeting the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive standards for recycling and treating solar panels. Without proper facilities, many end-of-life solar panels risk being stockpiled, improperly disposed of, illegally exported, or sent to landfills - leading to environmental harm, loss of valuable materials, and reputational risks for the renewables sector.
To bridge this gap, Waste Experts and CEF offer UK-wide collection capabilities for end-of-life solar panels, ensuring fully compliant handling and transportation via a combination of our own in-house and subcontracted fleet, in line with the highest environmental and regulatory standards.
End of life solar panels will then be processed at ROSIcutting-edge facility, which employs advanced recycling technologies to recover up to 95% of the value of photovoltaic (PV) modules, including high-purity silicon, silver, copper, aluminium, and high-transparency glass.
The pioneering approach significantly reduces relianceon virgin materials and ensures valuable resources remain in circulation. Eachtonne of recycled solar modules saves one tonne of CO₂ emissions, greatly reducing the environmental footprint of solar energy systems. With less than 1% disposable waste, ROSI’s innovative process sets a new benchmark for recycling efficiency in the industry.
Yun LUO, president and cofounder of ROSI commented “We are thrilled to partner with Waste Experts and CEF, leading figures in sustainable waste management in the UK. Their dedication to diverting waste from landfills and driving a circular economy perfectly aligns with our vision. This collaboration allows us to introduce our advanced solar panel recycling solutions to the UK market, ensuring responsible end-of-life management for photovoltaic modules.”
“Our collaboration highlights the vital role of global partnerships in tackling sustainability challenges” said Shaun Donaghey, Managing Director of Waste Experts. “With our nationwide collection service and ROSI’s cutting-edge recycling processes, we’re not just addressing the immediate issue of end-of-life solar panel waste - we’re establishing a framework for responsible lifecycle management that sets a new benchmark for the renewable energy sector.”
Mike Gadd, Director of Renewables at City Electrical Factors (CEF) said “Waste Experts provide CEF customers with a nationwide solution to manage their carbon footprint by considering a product’s full lifecycle and ensuring responsible end-of-life treatment. By recovering valuable materials and minimising landfill waste, we are driving long-term sustainability in clean energy and beyond”
As global demand for renewable energy continues to grow, Waste Experts and CEF are at the forefront of building a circular economy for solar panel materials - ensuring that renewable energy technologies are managed sustainably at every stage of their lifecycle.
By combining global expertise with a scalable UK-wide solution, Waste Experts and CEF are taking a major step toward making solar energy truly sustainable – from installation to end-of-life.
