Solarcycle to Build 5GW Solar Panel Recycling Plant in Georgia to Boost U.S. Solar Sustainability

Solarcycle’s new 5GW recycling plant in Georgia is set to process 10 million solar panels annually, strengthening the U.S. solar supply chain and creating over 1,250 jobs.

In an ambitious step toward a sustainable future, U.S.-based solar recycling firm Solarcycle has announced plans to construct a 5GW solar panel recycling facility in Cedartown, Georgia. This 255,000-square-foot plant will have the capacity to recycle materials from up to 10 million solar panels annually, addressing nearly 25-30% of the retired solar panels in the U.S. by 2030.

A Game-Changer for Solar Panel Recycling

The new facility’s initial operational capacity will start at two million panels per year, scaling up as demand for end-of-life solar services rises. Adjacent to the upcoming plant is a solar glass recycling factory that began development earlier this year. This facility will specialize in producing solar glass for crystalline-silicon (C-Si) PV modules, with an anticipated capacity of 5-6GW annually.

Both plants are expected to create over 1,250 full-time jobs once fully operational, with the recycling facility set to begin operations by mid-2025 and the solar glass factory to follow in 2026. Together, these developments underscore Solarcycle’s commitment to creating a sustainable, closed-loop solar supply chain in the U.S.

Closing the Solar Supply Chain Gap

By vertically integrating solar panel recycling and glass manufacturing, Solarcycle is addressing a critical gap in the domestic solar supply chain. Suvi Sharma, CEO and co-founder of Solarcycle, expressed enthusiasm for the company’s rapid growth:

“We are pleased to accelerate our work in Cedartown, Georgia in response to continued demand for solar recycling. By scaling recycling and solar glass manufacturing through a vertically integrated process, we are filling a critical gap in America’s solar supply chain and closing the loop for domestic solar manufacturing.”

Solarcycle’s new facility will be optimized for the recycling of bifacial C-Si panels and will feature advanced technology to recover up to 99% of materials used in solar panels. The company’s patented process aims to recover at least 95% of the value from recycled panels, reintegrating them into the U.S. supply chain.

Major Partnerships Fuel Solar Recycling Expansion

Solarcycle has forged key partnerships with top solar manufacturers, including Runergy, Heliene, Canadian Solar, Silfab, and Qcells. Additionally, it has gained investment support from tech giant Microsoft, alongside firms such as Fifth Wall, HG Ventures, Prologis Ventures, Closed Loop Partners, and Urban Innovation Fund. These collaborations are helping Solarcycle enhance recycling efficiency and support sustainable solar expansion across the U.S.

With facilities in Odessa, Texas, and Mesa, Arizona, Solarcycle is poised to reshape the solar recycling industry. Its expansion in Georgia aligns with growing market needs and national goals for sustainable, renewable energy solutions.