Last week, the team from The Solar Recycling Company had the privilege of attending RE+ 2025, North America’s premier clean energy conference, held from September 8–11 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It was an unforgettable week surrounded by the most innovative minds, groundbreaking technologies, and inspiring conversations in the clean energy space — and it underscored one message for us: solar is rising fast, and it’s time to build the circular systems to support it.
A Gathering of Clean Energy Leaders
This year’s RE+ was the largest yet, drawing more than 40,000 attendees and over 1,300 exhibitors from across the renewable energy spectrum.
Every part of the clean energy landscape was represented — from energy storage, microgrids, and EV infrastructure to hydrogen, wind, and of course, solar energy.
Major names like Tesla Energy, Enphase Energy, First Solar, and SunPower showcased their latest solutions alongside hundreds of emerging startups. Attendees ranged from project developers, utilities, and financiers to policy makers, engineers, and sustainability advocates — all united by a shared drive to accelerate the energy transition.
Emerging Themes — Solar, Storage & the Rising Need for Recycling
While RE+ 2025 featured every facet of the clean energy industry, solar and energy storage stood out as two of the fastest-emerging focal points of the entire event.
Solar has quickly evolved into a primary driver of new development worldwide. Exhibit halls were packed with next-generation solar modules, smarter balance-of-system technologies, and integrated solar + storage solutions aimed at meeting soaring demand.
And as this unprecedented wave of solar deployment builds, it’s already sparking industry-wide conversations about what happens at the end of the solar lifecycle — conversations that are putting The Solar Recycling Company right at the center of the discussion as a leader in solar panel recycling and solar waste management.
We saw firsthand that solar is rapidly becoming a central pillar of the global energy mix — and that shift is creating incredible momentum (and new responsibilities for managing its lifecycle sustainably).
Some of the biggest themes we saw:
- Next-Gen Module Technology
Manufacturers unveiled new high-efficiency N-type TOPCon modules, hail-resistant residential panels, and bifacial utility-scale products. There’s a strong push toward higher durability, lower temperature coefficients, and domestically manufactured panels to meet growing demand. - Energy Storage on the Rise
Battery storage was everywhere — from massive grid-scale systems to integrated residential setups. Conversations centered on improving grid integration, overcoming interconnection delays, and solving supply chain and permitting bottlenecks. - Market Trends & Policy Headwinds
There was optimism about the growth of solar + storage, balanced by caution over policy shifts, tariffs, and tax credit timelines. Still, the rapid growth in electrification, EVs, and data centers is making clean energy more critical than ever. - A Growing Need to Recycle Decommissioned Solar Systems
One of the most frequent and forward-looking topics of conversation was what happens to aging and end-of-life solar panels. With the first wave of large-scale solar now reaching the end of its lifespan, the industry is urgently seeking sustainable solar recycling solutions — and The Solar Recycling Company is leading the way as the first and best solar panel recycling services provider. - Hawaii’s Unique Solar Challenge
As one of the earliest adopters of solar, Hawaii is now facing a mounting issue: thousands of end-of-life panels with no in-state solar recycling facility, and shipping logistics to the mainland are cost-prohibitive. This challenge was a major point of discussion, and our team is investing time and resources into helping to solve it as part of our commitment to building a truly sustainable solar ecosystem.
This wave of solar innovation perfectly aligns with our mission: ensuring a sustainable lifecycle for all this new solar infrastructure through responsible end-of-life solar panel recycling and materials recovery.
Our Booth: Busy from Start to Finish
Amid all the buzz, our The Solar Recycling Company booth became a true hub of activity throughout the week — a place where conversations about solar recycling became tangible, actionable next steps.
We engaged with a wide mix of visitors — from large-scale solar developers and rooftop installers to financiers, policy experts, and sustainability consultants. These conversations consistently focused on how to close the loop on aging solar panels and integrate recycling early into the lifecycle.
Some standout moments:
- Strong interest from utility-scale developers seeking long-term solar panel recycling partners
- Conversations with residential installers about responsible solar panel take-back programs
- Exciting discussions with manufacturers about designing for recyclability from the start
We left with new exciting partnership opportunities, and encouraging feedback that confirmed just how essential solar recycling has become to the industry’s future.
Looking Ahead
RE+ 2025 was more than just a trade show — it was a glimpse into the future of clean energy. And for us, it underscored one clear message: as the solar industry scales up, so must its sustainability efforts.
We’re proud that The Solar Recycling Company is at the forefront of building that circular future — and we can’t wait to keep the momentum going from all the connections and insights we gained in Las Vegas. See you next year at RE+ 2026!
