How are spent solar cells recycled ?

I assume solar cells or solar panels don't last forever. Can they be recycled or how are they disposed of?

Answer:
Solar cells can last many many years. if not damaged by hail or other hard objects impacting them.

They typically have a tempered glass pane in front to protect the actual cells if intended for outdoor mounting. (the cells in a small solar calculator may not be protected)

Recycling would involve removing the protective glass and processing it normally, then grinding the active layers off of the supporting medium (usually more glass which again can be recycled normally)

Then the minerals in the active layers get processed almost the same as the ores they came from. Essentially its high yield ore.
Much like computer components--the technology is actually similar.
Solar cells are made from silica, same material as sand and they last for a long time

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