How to Dispose of Solar Panels in Glasgow and Scotland
Scotland's first big wave of domestic solar installations went up between 2010–2014. Many of those panels are now ageing out, getting damaged in storms or being replaced with higher-output models. Here's how to dispose of solar panels legally in Glasgow and across Scotland in 2026.
Solar panels are WEEE
Since 2014, photovoltaic (PV) panels in the UK have been classified as Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). That means manufacturers are legally responsible for end-of-life disposal under the producer-responsibility scheme.
In practice for a Scottish homeowner: you cannot put solar panels in your wheelie bin, your skip or general construction waste. They have to go through a registered WEEE recycling facility.
Manufacturer take-back schemes
Most major panel manufacturers (Trina, Jinko, Canadian Solar, REC, Hanwha, SunPower) participate in the PV CYCLE producer scheme. If you know the manufacturer:
- Visit pvcycle.org/uk and search for your panel manufacturer
- Request a take-back collection — usually free for batches of 10+ panels
- For single panels, drop-off at a participating WEEE facility
Glasgow / Scottish disposal routes
- Glasgow HWRC sites — accept small numbers of PV panels in the WEEE bay (call first, as some sites cap quantity)
- Specialist Scottish PV recyclers — Lothian-based PV recycling firms collect across the central belt
- Authorised Treatment Facilities (ATFs) that handle WEEE — search the SEPA register for active permits
- Solar installers — many will take old panels off the property when installing replacements
What it costs
TABLE:Volume,Typical cost in Scotland|1–4 panels (single home),Free via manufacturer take-back / £30 collection|10–20 panels (re-roof),£100–£200 collection|Whole array (commercial),£300+ depending on access
Most domestic solar disposal is free if coordinated with the installer fitting your replacement panels. Stand-alone disposal (panel decommissioned, no replacement) is the more expensive scenario.
Damaged panels — wind, hail, vandalism
A storm-damaged panel may still be glass-and-silicon hazardous if cracked. Don't try to break it down further yourself. Wrap in plastic sheeting to contain glass fragments and arrange WEEE collection. Our team handles damaged-panel collection as part of roofing waste removal if storm damage has affected the wider roof.
What's actually inside a panel?
Roughly 75% glass, 10% aluminium frame, 8% silicon cells, 5% polymers and 2% rare metals (silver in the conductive tracks, indium, gallium). At a properly licensed WEEE facility, the glass and aluminium are recovered to high purity; the silicon cells and rare metals are recovered via specialist processes. Less than 5% of a properly recycled panel ends up as residual waste.
Need Help Disposing of It?
If you'd rather we collected and legally disposed of it for you, send us a photo on WhatsApp at 07951 488152 and we'll come back with a fixed quote inside 60 minutes. SEPA registered (WCR/R/3011855), fully insured. From £30 across Glasgow, Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland.