TerrePower accelerates solar panel reuse industry in Tennessee

TerrePower recently announced that solar remanufacturing at its Sparta, TN, facility is fully operational. The company says the plant is dedicated to extending the life and improving the performance of solar panels through sustainable manufacturing. The facility, with 20,000 square feet devoted to solar panel sustainable manufacturing, has an annual capacity of over 125,000 panels.

The company says it is ramping up its EV operations across four U.S. plants (Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona and Tennessee). TerrePower adds it is moving "full speed ahead" with solar panel refurbishment. The company remanufactures used solar panels to enable second-life usage, selling them as a more affordable solution, typically for commercial or residential installation or replacement use. The company recycles materials from panels and EV batteries it cannot remanufacture and enables the reuse of raw materials to avoid landfill disposal. Remanufacturing used panels can cut carbon emissions by about 35% over original production, the company says.

Solar photovoltaic panels typically have a lifespan of 25 to 30 years. Their reuse can further advance the circular economy while reducing waste and pollution, TerrePower says.