> A solar panel is essentially an electronic sandwich. The filling is a thin layer of crystalline silicon cells, which are insulated and protected from the elem

> A solar panel is essentially an electronic sandwich. The filling is a thin layer of crystalline silicon cells, which are insulated and protected from the elements on both sides by sheets of polymers and glass. It’s all held together in an aluminum frame. On the back of the panel, a junction box contains copper wiring that channels electricity away as it’s being generated. None of this sounds like much of a problem in a landfill. I guess some panels might use lead-based solder, but I would be shocked if it’s more than a handful. If it’s not economical to recycle them, why shouldn’t they go in a landfill?