Solar Panels Recycling in San Die

Recycle Solar Panels in San Diego

Dream E-Waste recycles solar panels, inverters, solar batteries and equipment for installers, contractors, property owners and businesses across San Diego County. We're an R2v3-certified recycler, and every load is handled under California's rules for end-of-life solar panels.

Solar panels need approval before delivery. Email us at [email protected] with details and photos of the front, back, and label or sticker on the panels, and we will confirm whether we can accept them.

There MAY be a charge for solar panels depending on the model of the panels and how many you have. So please contact us first.

General Contact form

Before You Bring Solar Panels

We accept solar panels and solar batteries only with prior approval, never as a walk-in. Please contact us before bringing anything in. We handle larger bulk loads and project quantities, not one or two panels.

Email us photos of the front, back and label of a typical panel, plus the brand, model and quantity of any batteries. We will review the details and confirm what we can accept.

Solar batteries should be shut down and removed by a licensed installer or electrician. Tape or cap exposed terminals, and keep lead-acid batteries upright.

Solar panels and batteries are accepted at approved recycling centers only. We can’t accept damaged, swollen or leaking batteries. Take those to the City of San Diego’s Miramar Recycling Center (appointment required).

Free solar panel recycling in San Diego
Free solar panels recycling San Diego
Every type solar panel recycling San Diego

Solar Panels and Equipment We Recycle

Once approved, we accept a range of solar panels and related equipment from residential, commercial, and utility-scale solar installations. Review the types of equipment we can accept below.

Crystalline Silicon Solar Panels

We accept monocrystalline (Mono-Si) and polycrystalline (Poly-Si) panels, the two most common types used in residential and commercial solar installations in San Diego.

Thin-Film Solar Panels

We accept amorphous silicon, cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) panels. Please include a photo of the manufacturer’s label so we can identify the panel type.

Bifacial and Specialty Solar Panels

We review bifacial panels, building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV), and concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) modules before acceptance.

Solar Inverters and Electronics

We accept string inverters, microinverters, power optimizers, charge controllers, and solar monitoring equipment.

Solar Batteries and Storage Systems

We review residential and commercial solar batteries and energy storage systems for acceptance. Large quantities require prior approval. We cannot accept damaged, swollen, or leaking batteries.

Solar Racking, Wiring and Accessories

We accept aluminum mounting racks, mounting hardware, solar cables, junction boxes, and other related solar installation components.

Solar Battery Recycling in San Diego

Removing or upgrading a solar system usually means retiring the batteries too. Dream E-Waste recycles solar and home energy storage batteries along with your panels, so the whole system goes to one certified recycler.

Solar Batteries We Accept

  • Lithium-ion home batteries: LFP and NMC home energy storage systems from brands such as Tesla Powerwall, LG, Enphase, Generac, SunPower, Sonnen and Franklin
  • Lead-acid batteries: AGM, gel and flooded batteries from off-grid and backup systems
  • Small batteries in solar equipment: batteries inside inverters, charge controllers, monitors and solar lights

Where to Recycle Solar Batteries

Approved solar batteries go to our San Diego (Point Loma), Chula Vista or San Marcos recycling centers. We’ll confirm which one when we approve your load. Solar batteries are not accepted at our Miramar, Kearny Mesa or Oceanside drop-off locations.

How Solar Panel Recycling Works

Solar panel recycling starts with an approval process. Contact us and get your load approved before arranging delivery.

How It Works:

Email us photos of the front, back, and manufacturer’s label of a typical panel. Include the panel quantity, type, and details of any batteries.

Our team contacts you during business hours to confirm the appointment, check the volume and agree on a time.

Once approved, we confirm the designated recycling center and delivery instructions. Please wait for confirmation before bringing your panels.

We prepare accepted panels for responsible recycling. Glass, aluminum, silicon, and other recoverable materials are separated and sent to appropriate downstream processors.

Businesses receive a Certificate of Recycling for their records, providing documentation of the recycling process

Dream E Waste Business electronics Pickup in San Diego

Where to Recycle Solar Panels in San Diego

Once your solar panel load is approved, we will confirm which recycling center to use for drop-off.

San Diego Recycling Center

4009 Hicock St STE D, San Diego, CA 92110

Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

(No Appointment Needed)

Chula Vista Recycling Center

819 Anita St, Chula Vista, CA 91911

Monday to Saturday 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

(No Appointment Needed)

North County Recycling Center

2930 Norman Strasse Rd STE 104, San Marcos

Monday to Friday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

(No Appointment Needed)

Solar panels and batteries need approval before drop-off and are not accepted at our Miramar, Kearny Mesa or Oceanside drop-off locations.

Solar Panel Recycling for Businesses and Property Owners

We support solar panel recycling projects across San Diego County, working with the following customers and providing certified, responsible recycling.

Who We Work With

Solar installers and roofers replacing systems, general contractors and demolition crews, property managers and HOAs, commercial building owners, schools and public agencies, and homeowners with larger system removals.

Certified, Local and Accountable

We're an R2v3-certified recycler and a CalRecycle-approved collector and recycler (CEWID #127772). Every load goes through documented downstream vendors, so your panels are never dumped or shipped overseas as scrap. See our certifications

Documentation for Your Projects

Every approved solar load comes with a Certificate of Recycling for your records. Installers can pass it to customers after a system replacement, and contractors and property managers can keep it for permits, audits and sustainability reports.

Why Recycle Solar Panels?

Solar panels are mostly glass and aluminum, with silicon, copper and silver that can be recovered and reused in new products. Some panels also contain lead or cadmium, which can harm soil and water if panels end up in a landfill. Recycling keeps these materials in use and out of the waste stream.

Installers and businesses also need proof of proper disposal for customers, permits and sustainability reports. Every approved load we recycle comes with a Certificate of Recycling.

Join Dream E Waste in our efforts to make San Diego a cleaner and more sustainable city. By recycling your solar panels with us, you are not only disposing of them responsibly but also contributing to a circular economy.

California's Solar Panel Recycling Rules

California regulates end-of-life solar panels as universal waste, effective January 1, 2021. These rules help ensure solar panels are handled, transported, and recycled safely.

  • Use approved handlers: Solar panels must go to an authorized universal waste handler or approved recycling facility.
  • No regular disposal: Do not place solar panels in household trash, curbside recycling bins, or regular dumpsters.
  • Safe material handling: Some solar panels contain hazardous materials, including lead and cadmium, which require proper handling.
  • Choose a certified recycler: Dream E-Waste is an R2v3-certified electronics recycler and a CalRecycle-registered facility (CEWID #127772), providing responsible electronics recycling in San Diego County.

How to Dispose of Old Solar Panels in San Diego

If you are replacing an old solar system or removing panels from a property, it’s important to choose a disposal method that follows California’s solar panel recycling rules. Here are four ways to handle old solar panels responsibly.

Use a Certified Solar Panel Recycler

For larger loads, contact Dream E-Waste with photos and details of your panels for approval. Once approved, we will confirm the designated recycling center and delivery instructions. Businesses also receive a Certificate of Recycling for their records.

Contact Your Solar Installer

If you are replacing an existing solar system, ask your installer if they offer panel removal and recycling services. Confirm which recycling facility they use and how they handle end-of-life panels.

Check Manufacturer Take-Back Programs

Some solar panel manufacturers offer take-back or recycling programs for their products. Check the manufacturer’s label on the back of your panel and contact them to ask about available recycling options.

Reuse Working Solar Panels

If your panels are still in good condition and producing electricity, consider they can be reused in suitable off-grid systems, sheds, or RV projects. Make sure they are tested and suitable for the intended installation.

What Not to Do With Old Solar Panels

Never put solar panels in household trash, curbside recycling bins, or regular dumpsters. Do not break them apart yourself, as some panels contain materials that require proper handling and disposal.

Recycle Your Other Electronics on the Same Trip

Make the most of your trip by recycling other unwanted old electronics alongside your approved solar panels. Bring computers, monitors, networking equipment, cables, and other accepted appliances from your home, business, or job site. Most electronic items are accepted for free drop-off.

Items we Recycle

What San Diego Community Says About Us

Rated Excellent by 2000+ locals for fast, friendly, and completely free electronic recycling.

Across 6 locations

Excellent

Based on 1,163 reviews

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  • Carmen CurrySan Diego

    Fantastic, free e-waste recycling in central SD. Workers are always super friendly. Getting in & out of there is hard in a car though.

    Edit: just dropped off something and was informed California now requires a small fee ($1-$10) to recycle items. $1 for anything over 3lbs (averaging about $3 for most items) $10 for the largest item: fridges. TVs are still free. Still a very small fee for recycling the items that shouldn’t/can’t go in the landfill. Love having Dream E-Waste local to me. Staff is always pleasant and helpful. Thanks again Dream!

  • J DSan Diego

    Friendly staff. Quick and easy.

  • J DMiramar

    Very friendly. Quick and easy. Thank you 👍

  • Sidney ShiromaMiramar

    Great customer service

  • Richard LancasterMiramar

    Electronic recycling was convenient and easy. The staff was very helpful. My garage which was full of dead batteries and light bulbs thanks Dream Electronic Recycling!

  • Elizabeth SieglerSan Diego

    Excellent service! So helpful and convenient, easy!!

  • Habeas CorpusSan Diego

    Awesome place

  • Brandon SawyerMiramar

    Fantastic! Super easy. Great service.

  • Justin ManorMiramar

    Just heard about this place and dropped off my old microwave so easy! Im bring all my ewaste here, you should too

Solar Panel Recycling Service Areas Across San Diego

We work with solar installers, contractors, property owners and businesses throughout San Diego County, from Oceanside to Chula Vista. Once your load is approved, deliver it to our recycling centers in San Diego (Point Loma), Chula Vista or San Marcos. Solar panels and batteries are not accepted at our Miramar, Kearny Mesa or Oceanside drop-off locations.

LOCAL RECYCLING LOCATIONS

Find Solar Panel Recycling Near You

NEED A CONVENIENT OPTION?

Don't See Your Area Listed?

We accept approved solar panel and battery loads from anywhere in San Diego County. Send us photos to get started.

Send Photos for Approval

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Dream E-Waste recycles solar panels for installers, contractors, businesses and property owners across San Diego County. Panels are accepted by approval, so email us photos and the quantity first.

No. We don’t accept solar panels as walk-ins. Send photos of the front, back and label of a panel, plus the quantity, and we’ll confirm the load before you bring it in.

We handle larger loads of solar panels rather than single panels. If you are not sure your quantity qualifies, email us and we’ll let you know.

Some solar panels contain lead or cadmium and can be hazardous. Since January 1, 2021, California allows end-of-life solar panels to be managed as universal waste, so they must go to an approved handler or recycler, not the trash.

Usually, yes. Tell us how many are damaged and include photos so we can plan safe handling.

End-of-life solar panels shouldn’t go in the trash in California. They are managed as universal waste and must be taken to an approved handler or recycler.

It depends on the panel type and quantity. Send us photos and details, and we’ll confirm any cost before you deliver.

The front of the panel, the back, and the label or sticker showing the manufacturer and model. A photo of the full stack or pallet also helps.

Approved solar loads go to our recycling centers. We will confirm which one when we approve your load. Solar panels are not accepted at our Miramar, Kearny Mesa or Oceanside drop-off locations.

We recycle inverters and solar electronics. Solar batteries need approval for larger quantities, and damaged, swollen or leaking batteries can’t be accepted.

Yes. Most of a panel’s weight is glass and aluminum, which are recovered along with silicon, copper and silver.

Undamaged panels that still produce power can sometimes be reused for off-grid projects. If they are cracked, damaged or no longer working, recycle them.