Solar Project Decommissioning

With millions of solar installations in the United State coming in innumerable combinations of location, manufacturers, and style, it can be tricky to review a troubled solar project and understand precisely what can be done to replace failing or legacy components. An entirely new industry has sprung up along solar end-of-life that helps to repower troubled solar projects, with strides also taken in understanding the nuances of decommissioning different elements of solar projects. This presentation will provide a clear picture of decommissioning vs. repowering solutions to demonstrate how to make these practical reviews to understand available options.

First-generation solar projects are quickly reaching the end of their useful lives. At the same time, an unprecedented number of new projects will be installed in the coming years. In response, many states are creating regulatory requirements applicable to solar facility decommissioning and end-of-life issues. These new regulations will require, in many cases, comprehensive end-of-life planning to avoid unanticipated costs and to ensure that sites are properly decommissioned. This presentation will cover existing and emerging state and federal regulations as well as considerations for developers, landowners, lessees, and local governments.

In many cases, energy companies have forfeited their decommissioning bond to abandon a coal mine or gas well. Yet, in many cases, the cost of remediation far exceeds the value of the bond, leaving a locality, state or federal agency holding the bag. Many lawmakers fear the same with solar projects, which has led to strict and expensive decommissioning requirements in many states and localities.

This presentation will analyze the policy landscape of solar decommissioning, and evolving standards related to site remediation and panel disposal. It will also provide a snapshot of current legislation that, if signed into law, could affect your project’s bottom line. The session will also discuss an industry-led petition submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2021 to develop a universal waste standard for solar panels.

Planning for decommissioning is as much about removing the solar material from the roof as it is choosing the optimal solution for your solar assets next steps. Between recycling, reusing for repowering, or donating locally and beyond, the available options for decommissioned solar material will change based on numerous project details. This presentation will provide data driven descriptions of the numerous possible solutions available to optimize environmental and economic returns on solar investment, as well as highlight the unique approaches needed for various material types.

The advantages of streamlining the decommissioning process for solar panel owners and operators are multifaceted. From time and cost savings to improved safety and reputation enhancement, optimizing this critical phase contributes significantly to the overall success and profitability of solar farm operations. Investment in efficient procedures and best practices ensures a smooth, environmentally conscious decommissioning process, aligning with the evolving landscape of responsible solar industry practices. This session will discuss the following:

• Assessing the current decommissioning process
• Common challenges faced by solar farm owners and operators
• Identifying inefficiencies in the current process
• Developing a comprehensive decommissioning plan
• Efficient removal and disposal techniques
• Maximizing salvage and recycling opportunities
• Lessons learned from previous decommissioning projects

The solar industry has overcome a myriad of hurdles over the last few decades, with 229 GW of solar installed in 2022 alone. Yet many of the equipment manufacturers that service the industry, the EPC firms that design and sell projects, and the installers who build them have not been privy to the reality of decommissioning the solar assets that they are responsible for due to the time and specialization of this industry. This presentation will provide implementable reflections and solutions that every step of the solar industry can utilize to improve solar end-of-life outcomes. This presentation will also offer insight into the main determinants of decommissioning related project costs, to help the audience understand the real pricing for these special projects.

By utilizing a specific project pricing review from a project scheduled for immediate decommissioning in PJM territory, this presentation will provide real time confirmation of academic and financial assumptions and provide specific quantification for those wishing to accurately schedule out costs and environmental burdens of solar decommissioning at commercial scale.