#169 Urban Mining, Solar Panel Lifespan, End of Life Engineering, & More w/ Adam Saghei (WeRecycleSolar)

CleanTechies Podcast

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Are you curious about what happens to solar panels when they are no longer usable? Maybe your crazy uncle's statements from last Thanksgiving about how solar doesn't work are still echoing.
Well, look no further. Today, we are speaking with Adam Saghei, Founder of WeRecycleSolar, and we are discussing the end of life for solar panels.
How circular can we make the supply chain? What can OEMs learn about their products' end-of-life? What is the REAL lifespan of a solar panel? How is this reality affecting investor returns? How are solar panels being refurbished and resold? And how are investors getting early upgrades to make a higher return despite the additional capex?
Let's get into it. 🌱🌎
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Topics:
**01:34 Intro and Background
**03:15 The Problem of End-of-Life Solar Panels
**08:52 Financial Implications of Shorter Lifespan
**13:33 Recycling and Refurbishing Panels
**16:21 Reusing Materials in the Supply Chain
**21:06 Origins of We Recycle Solar
**23:29 Introduction to Returns Management Programs
**24:28 Starting the Refurbishing and Recycling Process
**25:32 Pivoting to a New Business Model
**26:44 Entrepreneurial Mindset and Taking Risks
**28:14 Scaling the Business and Future Growth
**30:51 Technology and Innovation in Recycling Processes
**31:38 Intellectual Property and Strategic Components
**32:34 Business Model and Potential Partnerships
**35:54 Current Scale and Future Goals
**38:24 Roadblocks and Challenges
**39:15 Funding and Bootstrapping the Business
**40:54 Acquiring Talent and Building Culture
**43:38 Supporting the Future of the Industry
**49:29 Takeaways
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Links:
**Adam Saghei | WeRecycleSolar
**Follow CleanTechies on LinkedIn
**@Silas & @Somil_Agg on X

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1. Introduction and Background (00:00:00)

2. The Problem of End-of-Life Solar Panels (00:03:15)

3. Financial Implications of Shorter Lifespan (00:08:52)

4. Recycling and Refurbishing Panels (00:13:33)

5. Reusing Materials in the Supply Chain (00:16:21)

6. Origins of We Recycle Solar (00:21:06)

7. Introduction to Returns Management Programs (00:23:29)

8. Starting the Refurbishing and Recycling Process (00:24:28)

9. Pivoting to a New Business Model (00:25:32)

10. Entrepreneurial Mindset and Taking Risks (00:26:44)

11. Scaling the Business and Future Growth (00:28:14)

12. Technology and Innovation in Recycling Processes (00:30:51)

13. Intellectual Property and Strategic Components (00:31:38)

14. Business Model and Potential Partnerships (00:32:34)

15. Current Scale and Future Goals (00:35:54)

16. Roadblocks and Challenges (00:38:24)

17. Funding and Bootstrapping the Business (00:39:15)

18. Acquiring Talent and Building Culture (00:40:54)

19. Supporting the Future of the Industry (00:43:38)

20. Takeaways (00:49:29)