In theory, it makes perfect sense to redeploy second-life solar panels as a critical step within the circular economy loop. But large-scale practice proves otherwise with challenges, such as low profit margin, lack of standardized technical measures, and the need for enhanced traceability.
By and large, these challenges should not deter the solar industry from reuse. When approached strategically, the resale of second-life modules is a viable practice and will increase in feasibility as the global secondary market grows.
The secondary market offers solar companies the opportunity to create financial, social, and operating value. As a result of the solar industry’s phenomenal growth over the last decade, the scale of the secondary market has grown significantly. Global market size is estimated at 1 GW per year, with a substantial amount decommissioned within 10 years of operation. As reported in EnergyBin’s latest issue of the PV Module Price Index – Secondary Solar Market, exports of used solar panels from the United States to five major resale markets totaled over 50 MW in 2025.
Other resale marketplaces are experiencing similar volumes. Search4Solar, a Netherlands-based B2B trading platform, sourced more than 150,000 used modules last year. PVXchange, a B2B marketplace in Germany, currently lists over 2.1 MW of used modules for resale (as of 4/15/2026), and on EnergyBin, 4 MW (or 14,462 modules) have been posted for resale since January 2026.
Secondary markets are not just useful sources for spare parts and liquidity sources for new excess stock, which amounted to 98% of the total modules for resale on EnergyBin last year. Resale also allows solar operators to find used parts, donate unwanted inventory, lessen supply chain shortages through recycling, and help solve energy poverty around the world.
In this article, we briefly summarize top challenges the global solar panel resale market faces. We also provide suggestions for what can be done today in support of advancing a robust and sustainable secondary market.
There are three overarching challenges that burden second-life module resale in today’s global market – oversupply of new modules, the lack of standardized technical measures, and the need for enhanced traceability.
When the global market experiences a supply glut, as has been the case for the past few years, prices for new modules drop significantly, and used module prices can’t compete.
EnergyBin saw the volume of used modules for resale decrease from 5% in 2024 to 1% in 2025 of overall modules listed on the trading platform. Furthermore, the price plummeted (from an average of $0.140/W in 2022 to $0.070/W in 2025).
New TOPCon modules shipped free-on-board (FOB) China are priced at an average of $0.119/W. Analysts expect prices to remain around $0.120/W through Q1 2027. While prices remain low, used module resale margins are often too thin to justify the expense of remarketing, and the cost of repair is altogether prohibitive.
However, certain markets show signs of rebounding from global oversupply. The average TOPCon price is $0.290/W DDP US. The higher price is tied directly to tariffs, which have curbed oversupply from flooding the market. Depending on the quality and performance of used modules, an average price of $0.070/W may be quite appealing to buyers.
Other prominent resale markets include Pakistan, India, Nigeria, Afghanistan, and South Africa. Buyer demand exists for used solar panels in good condition. In 2025, the United States exported over 50 MW to these five markets.
Overall, the global PV equipment market is expected to grow to $43.8 billion by 2035 (up from $16.6 billion in 2025). The increased investment is coming in response to demand for HJT, back content, and tandem cells, which are competitive with TOPCon modules, and in some cases outperform them.
This growth projection shouldn’t add to the oversupply problem as “top quality” implies higher prices for both new and used modules in the coming years.
Another challenge hindering the advancement of the secondary market is the lack of standardized technical regulations and consolidated metrics to define the quality of second-life modules.
This concern is clearly divulged in the latest report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) entitled Performance and Reliability Aspects of 2nd Life Photovoltaic Modules 2026. The authors purport that without supportive policy frameworks for second-life modules, the market won’t take off and will remain underdeveloped.
Standardized testing protocols, harmonized qualification criteria, and repair guidelines would help to support the market. Testing is critical to determine what should be offered for resale versus what should be recycled. The authors specifically recommend IV characterization, electroluminescence imaging, and insulation resistance testing. Certain defects, such as bypass diode failures, are restorable in most cases.
Adopting all three aspects – standardized testing protocols, harmonized qualification criteria, and repair guidelines – would boost buyer confidence, especially for lots listed “As Is Where Is,” which is often visible on trading platforms. Resale lots should include certifiable documentation on testing results and conditions -- just like the housing industry offers via inspection reports.
On EnergyBin, resellers generally follow unofficial standards when posting used modules for resale, as they have found buyer demand directly correlates to top quality, and therefore, a higher resale value can be gained. Typically, used modules listed on EnergyBin are less than 10 years old, have a degradation rate of at or below 0.5-1% per year, and have no defects.
The IEA report also notes a lack in traceability. A “harmonized and widely recognized consumer-facing label is still emerging.” If modules were tracked from initial material inputs until finished product end-of-life, then a greater understanding would exist for what materials are contained within modules, inspection processes, safety verification protocols, and repair best practices. Think of the used car market and databases such as Carfax and Kelley Blue Book.
Although traceability within the solar industry is in its infancy, there are developments helping to pave the way. For example, SERI expanded its R2V3 certification to include solar panel reuse and recycling in 2024 after working with ANSI and industry stakeholders for three years. These standards require a hierarchy of reuse over recycling.
In partnership with SEIA, ANSI approved a new standard (ANSI/SEIA 101) last year to support traceability of the solar supply chain. This standard will help track panels back to their raw materials as well as verify compliance with the United States UFLPA law. Data tracked through ANSI/SEIA 101 will be a quality source to pull into a larger product lifecycle dataset for downstream tracking.
As artificial intelligence software advances, new databases will crop up that can house tracking information. For instance, since its inception in 2025, Buckstop has made great strides in developing an agentic appraisal system for solar PV assets. The program also pulls data through an urban mining process to enhance appraisal accuracy and track market activity.
To move beyond infancy, traceability efforts will need to be combined and enhanced around the world. The global scale of tracking modules is critical because second-life modules are often sold to international buyers. On the front end, accurate documentation of serial numbers with tracking chips embedded in modules would be beneficial. In the downstream market, appraisals from urban-mining companies can also help to capture and retain crucial data.
Achieving worldwide supply-demand balance, standardized technical measures, and traceability will take time. In the meantime, we can all take little steps to support the growing secondary market.
First, if you have used solar panels in good condition and especially if they are less than 10 years in operation, resell them on trading platforms, like EnergyBin. They can then be redirected to buyers who can deploy them today. There are at least 1.18 billion people who are “energy poor,” a term coined by the World Bank as those in the world who lack electrical connections due to frequent power outages, equipment malfunctions, or gaps in distribution.
Additionally, nearly 80% of the world’s total energy source is supplied by coal, oil, and natural gas. For buyers who see the benefits of switching to solar, second-life modules can help speed up a clean energy transition.
To remarket solar panels, decide whether to resell them in-house or partner with a solar equipment broker. Conduct an audit. Some brokers may offer complimentary audits that can save on labor. Collect and electronically store as many product details as possible, including serial numbers, make, model, testing results, any repairs serviced, and photos.
Second, join committees and task forces to help shape reuse and recycling standards and policies. Input from industry stakeholders is important and sought after by many third parties who are working on these issues today. Contact your local solar industry association to learn more.
Third, educate yourself, your employees, and your customers about the benefits of second-life solar panels as well as options for reuse and recycling. Published case studies offer practical insights into solar panel redeployment.
For example, a study conducted in Brazil found that second-life multi-crystalline PV modules were stable and safe after two installations and 23 years in operation. The system’s average annual degradation rate was 0.7%. The temperature-corrected Performance Ratio (PR) reached an 85.3% efficiency level in the 23rd year. Insulation resistance and thermographic inspections concluded that the modules were electrically safe to use. Other case studies can be found online published by trade magazines and academic journals.
Finally, offer a decommissioning service to your community. Such a service could be in-house or through a partnering company with ties to the secondary market.
In the United States alone, 28 million solar panels have been in the field for at least a decade (as of 2023). Landfill operators and haulers are already seeing an influx of retiring panels flowing from utility-scale repowering projects. More decommissioning services are needed. Professional handling, packing, and the transporting of solar panels coming off-line will ensure they enter appropriate reuse and recycling channels, rather than going to landfills.
These tips are just a few action steps solar companies can take today to advance the secondary market and solar as a quality energy source. Many little steps added together will result in big strides forward.