Solar PV Recycling – Compliant, Fully Managed End-of-Life Disposal
Solar panels installed on UK farmland are classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) under UK law. That means when panels reach the end of their operational life — whether through age, damage, repowering, or decommissioning — they cannot simply be removed and discarded. They must be collected by a licensed carrier and processed at an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility (AATF). Failure to comply is a legal breach, not just an administrative oversight.
Our Solar PV Recycling service handles the entire process for you: from collection and licensed transport through to certified treatment and the documentation you need to demonstrate full compliance. As a site owner or landowner, you'll receive a Waste Transfer Note and WEEE Evidence Note confirming that your panels have been handled correctly — giving you complete peace of mind and a clear audit trail.
Your Legal Obligations as a Site Owner
Under the WEEE Regulations 2013 — updated further as part of the UK government's Extended Producer Responsibility programme in 2025/26 — solar panels fall under Category 14 of the WEEE classification. As the site owner or operator, you are responsible for ensuring panels are disposed of through an authorised route, regardless of whether you own the panels or lease the land to a developer.
The legal requirements are clear. You must use a licensed waste carrier registered with the Environment Agency, SEPA, or Natural Resources Wales. You must obtain a Waste Transfer Note at the point of collection and retain it for a minimum of two years. Panels must then be processed at an Approved Authorised Treatment Facility, and you should receive a WEEE Evidence Note confirming compliant treatment. Using a scrap dealer or general waste contractor — however convenient — puts you in direct breach of your Duty of Care.
Full Decommissioning & Land Reinstatement
For many landowners, the end of a solar lease means more than just removing the panels. Mounting structures, cable runs, inverter cabinets, and access tracks all need to be dealt with in accordance with the lease terms and any planning conditions. Leaving any element in place without agreement can create legal complications and affect what you can do with the land next.
Our decommissioning service covers the complete removal of all surface infrastructure and, where required, full land reinstatement to the specification set out in your lease. By 2035, the UK is projected to generate over 30,000 tonnes of solar waste annually as the first generation of large installations reaches end of life. Planning your decommissioning now — even if your lease runs for many years yet — means you understand exactly what it will involve and what it will cost, with no surprises at the end of the term.
Our Solar Recycling & Decommissioning Services
Every job is managed from start to finish by our team, with full documentation provided at every stage. We handle all compliance paperwork on your behalf, so you receive everything you need for your records without having to chase multiple contractors.
Site Survey & Quotation
Licensed Removal & Transport
AATF Approved Processing
WEEE Compliance Documentation
Mounting Structure Removal
Land Reinstatement
Non-compliant disposal is a legal risk you don't need to take.
Whether you're planning ahead for end of lease, dealing with damaged panels following a weather event, or repowering an existing installation with newer, higher-output modules, we can manage the entire process compliantly and efficiently. Get in touch for a free, no-obligation quote.
