Decommissioning
What happens when the lifespan of an array is over?
Decommissioning solar developments is expensive and wasteful. Solar panels and the eventual waste they may produce could be an environmental disaster waiting to happen.
Like any large-scale infrastructure project, ground-mounted solar arrays eventually reach the end of their useful life and need to be decommissioned. Most solar panels only last for 25-30 years before needing to be replaced. Proper decommissioning and disposal of solar panels and other components is important to minimize negative environmental impacts. This means better methods of recycling panels and improved nationwide regulations around decommissioning standards and procedure.
The United States government currently does not have a plan for the millions of tons of solid waste that will be generated when current solar arrays reach their end of life. In Massachusetts citizens have to rely on municipalities to enact bylaws for responsible decommissioning of panels.
Some states like Washington and New Jersey have implemented solar recycling and "takeback" programs aimed at reducing the environmental impact of solar panels. Unfortunately, recycling of solar arrays will only rescue a small percentage of the existing panels from landfills.

Statewide decommissioning regulations.
Cities and towns are taking steps to ensure they are not liable for the solid waste generated at the end of a solar array’s lifespan as it can be difficult, and expensive to deal with. Often this means that the towns are insured if the developer --the one responsible for decommissioning costs-- goes bankrupt or is unable to decommission the development.
On average, it costs between $267, 000 - $368,000 per MW, to decommission ground mounted PV arrays.
Better regulations and increased recycling of old panels is vital to insuring that solar corporations are held responsible for safe and responsible decommissioning of developments that has the least environmental impact.
Read more about concerns around solar panel waste and the effort to recycle them