The initial step in solar panel recycling is to break down the panels into smaller pieces. Shredders and crushers are essential for this process. For a medium – sized recycling plant, a high – quality shredder can cost between  150,000, while crushers may range from  100,000. The price depends on factors such as the processing capacity, the durability of the equipment, and the brand.

After shredding, separation equipment is required to separate different materials such as glass, aluminum, and silicon. Magnetic separators, which are used to extract metal components, can cost around 50,000. Gravity separators and electrostatic separators, which are used for more complex material separation, may cost 80,000 each.

If the recycling plant aims to produce high – purity recycled materials, purification and refinement equipment is necessary. For example, equipment for purifying silicon can cost upwards of $100,000, depending on the level of purity required.