Why go solar?
The use of solar electric systems dramatically reduces the environmental impact of personal, industrial, and commercial processes that rely on electricity.
Solar electric modules do not emit greenhouse gases or other pollutants, and do not require intensive mining operations to provide fuel. Compared to the mix of fossil fuel power sources typically used to produce power for New England consumers, every 1,000-kWh generated by a solar electric system avoids sending 0.17 pounds of sulfur dioxide, 0.35 pounds of nitrogen oxides and 747 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.
Can solar panels be recycled?
Solar panels typically consist of glass, aluminum, copper, and semiconductor materials. By weight, more than 80 percent of what goes into a solar panel is glass and aluminum, which are both common and easy-to-recycle materials. At the end of their useful life, these materials can be successfully recovered and reused as part of new solar panels or other products. Organizations like the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) are working in collaboration with manufacturers and installers to develop a network to repurpose or recycle solar electric system components that are at end-of-life.
Traditional Power Sources, Per 1,000 kWh
0.17 lb of SO2 0.35 lb of NOx 747 lb OF CO2
Solar Electricity, Per 1,000 kWh
0 lb of SO2 0 lb of NOx 0 lb OF CO2
We’re In This Together
Pledge to reduce your home’s carbon footprint by replacing old systems and appliances with clean energy technologies over time.
