Renewable Energy, Solar & Wind Manufacturing worked example

Solar Module Scrap Value at 50% material recovery yield: a worked example

This worked example runs the solar module scrap value numbers for a tougher week than the baseline: 50% material recovery yield instead of the typical 70%. Estimates the net recoverable value of scrapped solar modules after recycling yield and processing fees.

The inputs for this scenario

  • Scrapped Modules: 3,000 modules (held at the documented default)
  • Recoverable Value per Module: 7.5 $/module (held at the documented default)
  • Material Recovery Yield: 50 % (the input this scenario stresses; the baseline uses 70)
  • Collection and Processing Fee: 4,000 $ (held at the documented default)

Working through the calculation

  • The calculation starts from the formula this tool documents: Net value = scrapped modules x value/module x recovery yield% + collection and processing fee.
  • Total solar module scrap value cost works out to 15,250 $ at these inputs, and this is the headline figure for the scenario.
  • Solar module scrap value cost per unit works out to 5.08 $ / piece at these inputs.
  • Variable solar module scrap value cost works out to 11,250 $ at these inputs.
  • Fixed solar module scrap value adder works out to 4,000 $ at these inputs.

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 22.78% below the baseline at 15,250 $.
  • Use it when quoting an end-of-life PV recycling lot, valuing manufacturing line scrap, or comparing recovery against landfill disposal. A result at this level usually justifies acting on the stressed input before touching anything else, because every other figure in the table is downstream of it.

Results at a glance

  • Total solar module scrap value cost: 15,250 $ (headline result)
  • Solar module scrap value cost per unit: 5.08 $ / piece
  • Variable solar module scrap value cost: 11,250 $
  • Fixed solar module scrap value adder: 4,000 $

Run it with your numbers

  • To rerun this with your own numbers, open the live Solar Module Scrap Value calculator, set material recovery yield to your actual value, and adjust the remaining inputs to match your operation.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.