Renewable Energy, Solar & Wind Manufacturing worked example

Solar Module Scrap Value at 81% material recovery yield: a worked example

This scenario runs the solar module scrap value calculation on the strong side: 81% material recovery yield, with every other input held at its documented default. A recycling coordinator uses it to value a pallet of end-of-line reject or returned modules headed to a recycler.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Scrapped Modules: 3,000 modules (unchanged)
  • Recoverable Value per Module: 7.5 $/module (unchanged)
  • Material Recovery Yield: 81 % (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 70)
  • Collection and Processing Fee: 4,000 $ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (Net value = scrapped modules x value/module x recovery yield% + collection and processing fee) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 22,225 $ for total solar module scrap value cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 7.41 $ / piece for solar module scrap value cost per unit.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 18,225 $ for variable solar module scrap value cost.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 4,000 $ for fixed solar module scrap value adder.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where material recovery yield sits at 70% and the headline result is 19,750 $, this scenario comes in 12.53% above the baseline at 22,225 $.
  • Use it when quoting an end-of-life PV recycling lot, valuing manufacturing line scrap, or comparing recovery against landfill disposal. Treat this as a target state: the delta against the baseline quantifies what the improvement is worth before you commit to chasing it.

Results at a glance

  • Total solar module scrap value cost: 22,225 $ (headline result)
  • Solar module scrap value cost per unit: 7.41 $ / piece
  • Variable solar module scrap value cost: 18,225 $
  • Fixed solar module scrap value adder: 4,000 $

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live Solar Module Scrap Value calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.