Most parts of the solar module can be recycled, that is 97% of special semiconductor materials or glass and ferrous and non-ferrous metals.  Some private companies and non-profit organizations are currently engaged in the recycling of obsolete modules.  Recycling capabilities depend on the type of technology used in the modules:

Silicon based module

 Aluminum forms and junction boxes are unloaded manually at the beginning of the process.  Then the module is crushed in a mill and its different components, such as glass, plastic and metals are separated.  With this method, it is possible to recover more than 80% of the fresh weight. This process can be done by flat glass recyclers because the morphology and shape of a PV module is similar to the flat glass of buildings and automobile industries.  Recycled glass is readily purchased by industrialists/insulation and foam glass companies.

Non-silicon modules

They require special recycling technologies, for example using chemical baths to separate different semiconductor materials.  For cadmium fluoride modules, the recycling process begins by shredding the module and separating the various components.  This process is designed to recycle 90% of glass and 95% of semiconductor materials. In recent years, private companies have built and operated recycling equipment on a large scale.  Since 2010, the annual European conference brings together all manufacturers, recyclers and researchers to address the future of PV module recycling.

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Solar panel repair and maintenance

 The conversion efficiency of a solar panel, which is typically 20%, is reduced by dust, soot, pollen and other particles that collect on the panel.  "A dirty solar panel can reduce its power capability by up to 30% in more polluted and dusty areas".  Seamus Curran, professor of physics at the University of Houston and director of the Nano Energy Institute, says this.  He is an expert in designing, engineering, and assembling nanostructures.  For non-“self-cleaning” solar arrays, regular cleaning is done by a professional glass cleaning company or by people who can do the cleaning on a regular schedule.  According to AI The Clear Chaice, a California-based company that provides solar panel cleaning services: "Solar panels are like windows or windshields in a home or business. They get dirty with rain and dust and smoke and chimney ash and  Bird droppings and other environmental debris become dirty, reducing the absorption of sunlight into the panels, resulting in less energy for use in your building or for sale to your utility company.