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Jencap is one of the largest wholesalers in the US with notable industry-leading expertise in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and program management. Its specialized divisions and affiliate organizations provide niche underwriting prowess, broad market access, and nationwide influence. Headquartered in New York, Jencap leverages its collective power to exceed the expectations of more than 20,000 independent agency partners.
Find out more
“The state of California has legislation to encourage people to recycle solar panels. But what happens when they go to these facilities, and the value doesn’t even make sense to store it?” he asked. “I think that is where the bigger issue is.”
Henry stressed that consumers and businesses must know the repercussions of investing in renewable energy sources.
“Alternative energy may help abate excess carbon, but there’s a broader picture that people need to be aware of,” he said. “It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment.”
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, agreed that insureds often overlook the environmental impact of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges,” Dubrowsky said.
There are also concerns about whether solar panel components are correctly recycled. Dubrowsky pointed out that recyclable materials are often treated as commodities, and whether they are truly recycled or end up in landfills depends on their economic viability.
Landfills also face liability risks if toxic waste disposal from solar panels goes awry. Crouch cited a claims example from a landfill in the Southeast that accepts out-of-state waste. Without a precise process for identifying and handling hazardous materials, the operator faced violations and hefty costs to remove mixed waste.
“The result is they’ve had some significant issues that have been brought to the awareness of their underwriters, and we are struggling to get them insurance,” said Crouch.
Are contractors and facilities recycling solar panels properly?
As private citizens embrace solar power, they will also be exposed to pollution liability risks not covered by their homeowners’ insurance. Dubrowsky warned that without adequate environmental insurance, individuals could face scrutiny from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and potential consequences.
“It's definitely a concern,” he said. “I do think the EPA will probably try to minimize that. But that’s just speculation. They want [solar panels] to be recycled properly because they are classified as hazardous waste.”
For Crouch, there are still many unanswered questions around the risks of solar panel disposal, such as how liability will be determined if hazardous materials from panels owned by private citizens pollute a landfill.
“Commercial entities are regulated under the federal statute RCRA, which assigns liability from creation to disposal. The generator of waste remains liable, even if pollution occurs post-disposal in a landfill,” said Crouch. “But what do we do with private citizens who have material construed as hazardous that they dispose of at a landfill, causing pollution?”
The Jencap specialists stressed that individuals and corporations alike should be aware of the risks surrounding renewables. Education and risk mitigation, especially for environmental impacts, will play a key role in ensuring the energy transition remains genuinely sustainable.
“You can’t throw away the solar panels in your local municipal solid waste landfill. You can’t take all the panels off your roof, leave them on the street corner or the curb, and expect your garbage man to come and take them away,” Crouch said. “You must arrange alternative methods of removal and disposal.”
Henry added, “We need more research and more solutions on how to handle that waste effectively and dispose of it properly.
“Shipping waste to other states is probably not the best solution, but we’re so focused on moving forward with this green energy revolution that we’re not addressing the long-term implications.”
Long-term liability questions over solar panel waste disposal
Additionally, certain types of solar panels may contain other hazardous materials in trace amounts, such as lead, arsenic, and selenium.
There are currently limited facilities licensed to handle solar panel waste in California, where stricter environmental laws impact waste handling.
“The vast majority of waste is shipped out of state,” said Henry. “So, while we are one of the largest users of solar panels, most of our waste is shipped out of state because our facilities aren’t permitted to handle them.”
Crouch noted that transporting hazardous solar panel waste for disposal also carries elevated risks, especially when shipped across state lines.
“If you’re exporting your waste, you’re creating a bigger risk for an upset and overturn during the transportation, which could lead to pollution incidents,” said Crouch.
The primary concern around solar panel disposal lies in their composition. Most solar panels contain various materials, including silicon, glass, aluminum, and plastics, which are relatively benign and can be recycled or safely disposed of.
However, specific components, such as cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide thin-film solar cells, contain toxic elements that pose environmental and health risks.
Cadmium, for one, is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause serious harm to humans and ecosystems if it leaches into the environment. While the amount of cadmium in each solar panel is relatively small, the cumulative impact of large-scale solar panel disposal could pose a significant risk if mishandled.
“How are we handling those materials, and where are they going?” he asked. “We need to be aware of the long-term impacts to the environment when implementing new green technologies.
“Yes, we’re getting away from oil and gas. But what are we overlooking to produce, manufacture, implement, and then recycle or destroy these materials once their life is finished?”
“From the pollution standpoint, the biggest factor in solar panels is what we do with them when they reach the end of their lifespan,” said Loren Henry, vice president, environmental and energy practice at Jencap Specialty Insurance Services. “We’re starting to see some of those at the end of that initial life cycle of solar panels, particularly in California.”
California, Texas, and Florida are the states producing the most solar energy, according to the Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Henry said that while 80 percent of solar panels are made from recyclable materials, they still contain toxic metals.
Solar panel disposal – what are the environmental risks?
Solar panels are designed to last for decades, typically with warranties ranging from 25 to 30 years. However, like all electronic devices, they eventually reach the end of their operational lifespan and must be disposed of safely.
environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution,” said Canaan Crouch, managing director, environmental division, Jencap Specialty Insurance Services.
The demand for renewable energy sources has led to a boom in solar power generation.
Better technology and lower costs have made it easier and more accessible for Americans to harness solar energy, which has now become the fastest-growing renewable source in the US. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects solar power generation to surge 75 percent, from 163 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 to 286 billion kWh in 2025.
While solar panels can help drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are vital to the carbon transition, the environmental liability risks associated with these technologies are often overlooked.
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall
Published June 17, 2024
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges”
Jared Dubrowsky,
NFP
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution”
Canaan Crouch,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
“It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment”
Loren Henry,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Have already installed
Have given serious thought to installing
Homeowners in West most likely to have considered or installed solar panels
% of US homeowners who say they solar panels within the past 12 months
Pacific
Census region
U.S. homeowners
NET
West
South
Mountain
Note: respondents who gave other responses or did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center, Americans Largely Favour US Taking Steps to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050, survey conducted Jan. 24–30, 2022
South Atlantic
East South Central
West South Central
Northeast
Midwest
62
47
51
47
37
47
47
40
39
8
39
8
35
2
37
14
42
5
40
7
36
4
45
17
Utility
Non-residential
Residential
40
30
20
10
2014
The US is set to hit a new record for solar installations
Solar photovoltaic capacity installed by segment in gigawatts
Source: SEIA/Wood Mackenzie, Power & Renewables US Solar Market Insight Report Q4 2023
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Projected
Loren Henry
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Jared Dubrowsky
NFP
Canaan Crouch
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Industry experts
Where do solar panels go when they die? Environmental risk experts are asking this question as more and more panels approach the end of their lifespan
The dark side of solar panels
More
In Partnership with
Share
Loren Henry has spent years on the soccer pitch, but now, as vice president of environmental and energy at leading wholesaler Jencap, he’s pitching his clients on ways to place challenging coverage. Henry’s got more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry specializing in energy and environmental. After stints at Sloan Mason, Worldwide Facilities, and Amwins, he recently joined Jencap to spearhead the energy practice. Henry knows the importance of understanding market appetites, the unique risks associated with energy exposures, and the shift toward renewable energy that offers new and complex challenges.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Loren Henry
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, has an extensive background developing solutions for clients’ environmental insurance needs in several different industries including commercial real estate. NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement, and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.
NFP
Jared Dubrowsky
Child actor-turned-geologist-turned-insurance underwriter Canaan Crouch brings next-level expertise to the environmental and professional liability team at Jencap as managing director, environmental division. His depth of industry understanding and charisma to capture an audience make Crouch a sought-after speaker and media consultant. With 22 years of insurance experience, Crouch specializes in working with architects & engineers, environmental contractors, construction managers, manufacturing firms, real estate holding companies, and real estate developers.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Canaan Crouch
Contact Us
Specialty
Best in Insurance
Resources
Risk Management
TV
News
US
Copyright © 2024 KM Business Information US, Inc
RSS
Sitemap
Contact us
About us
Conditions of Use
Privacy policy
Terms & conditions
People
Jencap is one of the largest wholesalers in the US with notable industry-leading expertise in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and program management. Its specialized divisions and affiliate organizations provide niche underwriting prowess, broad market access, and nationwide influence. Headquartered in New York, Jencap leverages its collective power to exceed the expectations of more than 20,000 independent agency partners.
Find out more
“The state of California has legislation to encourage people to recycle solar panels. But what happens when they go to these facilities, and the value doesn’t even make sense to store it?” he asked. “I think that is where the bigger issue is.”
Henry stressed that consumers and businesses must know the repercussions of investing in renewable energy sources.
“Alternative energy may help abate excess carbon, but there’s a broader picture that people need to be aware of,” he said. “It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment.”
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, agreed that insureds often overlook the environmental impact of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges,” Dubrowsky said.
There are also concerns about whether solar panel components are correctly recycled. Dubrowsky pointed out that recyclable materials are often treated as commodities, and whether they are truly recycled or end up in landfills depends on their economic viability.
Landfills also face liability risks if toxic waste disposal from solar panels goes awry. Crouch cited a claims example from a landfill in the Southeast that accepts out-of-state waste. Without a precise process for identifying and handling hazardous materials, the operator faced violations and hefty costs to remove mixed waste.
“The result is they’ve had some significant issues that have been brought to the awareness of their underwriters, and we are struggling to get them insurance,” said Crouch.
Are contractors and facilities recycling solar panels properly?
As private citizens embrace solar power, they will also be exposed to pollution liability risks not covered by their homeowners’ insurance. Dubrowsky warned that without adequate environmental insurance, individuals could face scrutiny from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and potential consequences.
“It's definitely a concern,” he said. “I do think the EPA will probably try to minimize that. But that’s just speculation. They want [solar panels] to be recycled properly because they are classified as hazardous waste.”
For Crouch, there are still many unanswered questions around the risks of solar panel disposal, such as how liability will be determined if hazardous materials from panels owned by private citizens pollute a landfill.
“Commercial entities are regulated under the federal statute RCRA, which assigns liability from creation to disposal. The generator of waste remains liable, even if pollution occurs post-disposal in a landfill,” said Crouch. “But what do we do with private citizens who have material construed as hazardous that they dispose of at a landfill, causing pollution?”
The Jencap specialists stressed that individuals and corporations alike should be aware of the risks surrounding renewables. Education and risk mitigation, especially for environmental impacts, will play a key role in ensuring the energy transition remains genuinely sustainable.
“You can’t throw away the solar panels in your local municipal solid waste landfill. You can’t take all the panels off your roof, leave them on the street corner or the curb, and expect your garbage man to come and take them away,” Crouch said. “You must arrange alternative methods of removal and disposal.”
Henry added, “We need more research and more solutions on how to handle that waste effectively and dispose of it properly.
“Shipping waste to other states is probably not the best solution, but we’re so focused on moving forward with this green energy revolution that we’re not addressing the long-term implications.”
Long-term liability questions over solar panel waste disposal
Additionally, certain types of solar panels may contain other hazardous materials in trace amounts, such as lead, arsenic, and selenium.
There are currently limited facilities licensed to handle solar panel waste in California, where stricter environmental laws impact waste handling.
“The vast majority of waste is shipped out of state,” said Henry. “So, while we are one of the largest users of solar panels, most of our waste is shipped out of state because our facilities aren’t permitted to handle them.”
Crouch noted that transporting hazardous solar panel waste for disposal also carries elevated risks, especially when shipped across state lines.
“If you’re exporting your waste, you’re creating a bigger risk for an upset and overturn during the transportation, which could lead to pollution incidents,” said Crouch.
The primary concern around solar panel disposal lies in their composition. Most solar panels contain various materials, including silicon, glass, aluminum, and plastics, which are relatively benign and can be recycled or safely disposed of.
However, specific components, such as cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide thin-film solar cells, contain toxic elements that pose environmental and health risks.
Cadmium, for one, is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause serious harm to humans and ecosystems if it leaches into the environment. While the amount of cadmium in each solar panel is relatively small, the cumulative impact of large-scale solar panel disposal could pose a significant risk if mishandled.
“How are we handling those materials, and where are they going?” he asked. “We need to be aware of the long-term impacts to the environment when implementing new green technologies.
“Yes, we’re getting away from oil and gas. But what are we overlooking to produce, manufacture, implement, and then recycle or destroy these materials once their life is finished?”
“From the pollution standpoint, the biggest factor in solar panels is what we do with them when they reach the end of their lifespan,” said Loren Henry, vice president, environmental and energy practice at Jencap Specialty Insurance Services. “We’re starting to see some of those at the end of that initial life cycle of solar panels, particularly in California.”
California, Texas, and Florida are the states producing the most solar energy, according to the Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Henry said that while 80 percent of solar panels are made from recyclable materials, they still contain toxic metals.
Solar panel disposal – what are the environmental risks?
Solar panels are designed to last for decades, typically with warranties ranging from 25 to 30 years. However, like all electronic devices, they eventually reach the end of their operational lifespan and must be disposed of safely.
The demand for renewable energy sources has led to a boom in solar power generation.
Better technology and lower costs have made it easier and more accessible for Americans to harness solar energy, which has now become the fastest-growing renewable source in the US. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects solar power generation to surge 75 percent, from 163 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 to 286 billion kWh in 2025.
While solar panels can help drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are vital to the carbon transition, the environmental liability risks associated with these technologies are often overlooked.
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution,” said Canaan Crouch, managing director, environmental division, Jencap Specialty Insurance Services.
Published June 17, 2024
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges”
Jared Dubrowsky,
NFP
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution”
Canaan Crouch,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
“It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment”
Loren Henry,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Have already installed
Have given serious thought to installing
Homeowners in West most likely to have considered or installed solar panels
% of US homeowners who say they solar panels within the past 12 months
Pacific
Census region
U.S. homeowners
NET
West
South
Mountain
Note: respondents who gave other responses or did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center, Americans Largely Favour US Taking Steps to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050, survey conducted Jan. 24–30, 2022
South Atlantic
East South Central
West South Central
Northeast
Midwest
62
47
51
47
37
47
47
40
39
8
39
8
35
2
37
14
42
5
40
7
36
4
45
17
Utility
Non-residential
Residential
40
30
20
10
2014
The US is set to hit a new record for solar installations
Solar photovoltaic capacity installed by segment in gigawatts
Source: SEIA/Wood Mackenzie, Power & Renewables US Solar Market Insight Report Q4 2023
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Projected
Loren Henry
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Jared Dubrowsky
NFP
Canaan Crouch
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Industry experts
Where do solar panels go when they die? Environmental risk experts are asking this question as more and more panels approach the end of their lifespan
The dark side of solar panels
More
In Partnership with
Share
Loren Henry has spent years on the soccer pitch, but now, as vice president of environmental and energy at leading wholesaler Jencap, he’s pitching his clients on ways to place challenging coverage. Henry’s got more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry specializing in energy and environmental. After stints at Sloan Mason, Worldwide Facilities, and Amwins, he recently joined Jencap to spearhead the energy practice. Henry knows the importance of understanding market appetites, the unique risks associated with energy exposures, and the shift toward renewable energy that offers new and complex challenges.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Loren Henry
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, has an extensive background developing solutions for clients’ environmental insurance needs in several different industries including commercial real estate. NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement, and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.
NFP
Jared Dubrowsky
Child actor-turned-geologist-turned-insurance underwriter Canaan Crouch brings next-level expertise to the environmental and professional liability team at Jencap as managing director, environmental division. His depth of industry understanding and charisma to capture an audience make Crouch a sought-after speaker and media consultant. With 22 years of insurance experience, Crouch specializes in working with architects & engineers, environmental contractors, construction managers, manufacturing firms, real estate holding companies, and real estate developers.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Canaan Crouch
Copyright © 2024 KM Business Information US, Inc
RSS
Sitemap
Contact us
About us
Conditions of Use
Privacy policy
Terms & conditions
People
Utility
Non-residential
Residential
40
30
20
10
2014
The U.S. is set to hit a new record
for solar installations
Solar photovoltaic capacity installed by segment in gigawatts
Source: SEIA/Wood Mackenzie, Power & Renewables US Solar Market Insight Report Q4 2023
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Projected
Jencap is one of the largest wholesalers in the US with notable industry-leading expertise in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and program management. Its specialized divisions and affiliate organizations provide niche underwriting prowess, broad market access, and nationwide influence. Headquartered in New York, Jencap leverages its collective power to exceed the expectations of more than 20,000 independent agency partners.
Find out more
“The state of California has legislation to encourage people to recycle solar panels. But what happens when they go to these facilities, and the value doesn’t even make sense to store it?” he asked. “I think that is where the bigger issue is.”
Henry stressed that consumers and businesses must know the repercussions of investing in renewable energy sources.
“Alternative energy may help abate excess carbon, but there’s a broader picture that people need to be aware of,” he said. “It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment.”
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, agreed that insureds often overlook the environmental impact of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges,” Dubrowsky said.
There are also concerns about whether solar panel components are correctly recycled. Dubrowsky pointed out that recyclable materials are often treated as commodities, and whether they are truly recycled or end up in landfills depends on their economic viability.
Landfills also face liability risks if toxic waste disposal from solar panels goes awry. Crouch cited a claims example from a landfill in the Southeast that accepts out-of-state waste. Without a precise process for identifying and handling hazardous materials, the operator faced violations and hefty costs to remove mixed waste.
“The result is they’ve had some significant issues that have been brought to the awareness of their underwriters, and we are struggling to get them insurance,” said Crouch.
Are contractors and facilities recycling solar panels properly?
As private citizens embrace solar power, they will also be exposed to pollution liability risks not covered by their homeowners’ insurance. Dubrowsky warned that without adequate environmental insurance, individuals could face scrutiny from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and potential consequences.
“It's definitely a concern,” he said. “I do think the EPA will probably try to minimize that. But that’s just speculation. They want [solar panels] to be recycled properly because they are classified as hazardous waste.”
For Crouch, there are still many unanswered questions around the risks of solar panel disposal, such as how liability will be determined if hazardous materials from panels owned by private citizens pollute a landfill.
“Commercial entities are regulated under the federal statute RCRA, which assigns liability from creation to disposal. The generator of waste remains liable, even if pollution occurs post-disposal in a landfill,” said Crouch. “But what do we do with private citizens who have material construed as hazardous that they dispose of at a landfill, causing pollution?”
The Jencap specialists stressed that individuals and corporations alike should be aware of the risks surrounding renewables. Education and risk mitigation, especially for environmental impacts, will play a key role in ensuring the energy transition remains genuinely sustainable.
“You can’t throw away the solar panels in your local municipal solid waste landfill. You can’t take all the panels off your roof, leave them on the street corner or the curb, and expect your garbage man to come and take them away,” Crouch said. “You must arrange alternative methods of removal and disposal.”
Henry added, “We need more research and more solutions on how to handle that waste effectively and dispose of it properly.
“Shipping waste to other states is probably not the best solution, but we’re so focused on moving forward with this green energy revolution that we’re not addressing the long-term implications.”
Long-term liability questions over solar panel waste disposal
Additionally, certain types of solar panels may contain other hazardous materials in trace amounts, such as lead, arsenic, and selenium.
There are currently limited facilities licensed to handle solar panel waste in California, where stricter environmental laws impact waste handling.
“The vast majority of waste is shipped out of state,” said Henry. “So, while we are one of the largest users of solar panels, most of our waste is shipped out of state because our facilities aren’t permitted to handle them.”
Crouch noted that transporting hazardous solar panel waste for disposal also carries elevated risks, especially when shipped across state lines.
“If you’re exporting your waste, you’re creating a bigger risk for an upset and overturn during the transportation, which could lead to pollution incidents,” said Crouch.
The primary concern around solar panel disposal lies in their composition. Most solar panels contain various materials, including silicon, glass, aluminum, and plastics, which are relatively benign and can be recycled or safely disposed of.
However, specific components, such as cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide thin-film solar cells, contain toxic elements that pose environmental and health risks.
Cadmium, for one, is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause serious harm to humans and ecosystems if it leaches into the environment. While the amount of cadmium in each solar panel is relatively small, the cumulative impact of large-scale solar panel disposal could pose a significant risk if mishandled.
“How are we handling those materials, and where are they going?” he asked. “We need to be aware of the long-term impacts to the environment when implementing new green technologies.
“Yes, we’re getting away from oil and gas. But what are we overlooking to produce, manufacture, implement, and then recycle or destroy these materials once their life is finished?”
“From the pollution standpoint, the biggest factor in solar panels is what we do with them when they reach the end of their lifespan,” said Loren Henry, vice president, environmental and energy practice at Jencap Specialty Insurance Services. “We’re starting to see some of those at the end of that initial life cycle of solar panels, particularly in California.”
California, Texas, and Florida are the states producing the most solar energy, according to the Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Henry said that while 80 percent of solar panels are made from recyclable materials, they still contain toxic metals.
Solar panel disposal – what are the environmental risks?
Solar panels are designed to last for decades, typically with warranties ranging from 25 to 30 years. However, like all electronic devices, they eventually reach the end of their operational lifespan and must be disposed of safely.
The demand for renewable energy sources has led to a boom in solar power generation.
Better technology and lower costs have made it easier and more accessible for Americans to harness solar energy, which has now become the fastest-growing renewable source in the US. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects solar power generation to surge 75 percent, from 163 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 to 286 billion kWh in 2025.
While solar panels can help drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are vital to the carbon transition, the environmental liability risks associated with these technologies are often overlooked.
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution,” said Canaan Crouch, managing director, environmental division, Jencap Specialty Insurance Services.
Published June 17, 2024
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges”
Jared Dubrowsky,
NFP
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution”
Canaan Crouch,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
“It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment”
Loren Henry,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Have already installed
Have given serious thought to installing
Homeowners in West most likely to have considered or installed solar panels
% of US homeowners who say they solar panels within the past 12 months
Pacific
Census region
U.S. homeowners
NET
West
South
Mountain
Note: respondents who gave other responses or did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center, Americans Largely Favour US Taking Steps to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050, survey conducted Jan. 24–30, 2022
South Atlantic
East South Central
West South Central
Northeast
Midwest
62
47
51
47
37
47
47
40
39
8
39
8
35
2
37
14
42
5
40
7
36
4
45
17
Share
Loren Henry
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Jared Dubrowsky
NFP
Canaan Crouch
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Industry experts
Where do solar panels go when they die? Environmental risk experts are asking this question as more and more panels approach the end of their lifespan
The dark side of solar panels
More
In Partnership with
Contact Us
Specialty
Best in Insurance
Resources
Risk Management
TV
News
US
Loren Henry has spent years on the soccer pitch, but now, as vice president of environmental and energy at leading wholesaler Jencap, he’s pitching his clients on ways to place challenging coverage. Henry’s got more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry specializing in energy and environmental. After stints at Sloan Mason, Worldwide Facilities, and Amwins, he recently joined Jencap to spearhead the energy practice. Henry knows the importance of understanding market appetites, the unique risks associated with energy exposures, and the shift toward renewable energy that offers new and complex challenges.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Loren Henry
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, has an extensive background developing solutions for clients’ environmental insurance needs in several different industries including commercial real estate. NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement, and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.
NFP
Jared Dubrowsky
Child actor-turned-geologist-turned-insurance underwriter Canaan Crouch brings next-level expertise to the environmental and professional liability team at Jencap as managing director, environmental division. His depth of industry understanding and charisma to capture an audience make Crouch a sought-after speaker and media consultant. With 22 years of insurance experience, Crouch specializes in working with architects & engineers, environmental contractors, construction managers, manufacturing firms, real estate holding companies, and real estate developers.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Canaan Crouch
The dark side of solar panels
Where do solar panels go when they die? Environmental risk experts are asking this question as more and more panels approach the end of their lifespan
More
The demand for renewable energy sources has led to a boom in solar power generation.
Better technology and lower costs have made it easier and more accessible for Americans to harness solar energy, which has now become the fastest-growing renewable source in the US. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects solar power generation to surge 75 percent, from 163 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 to 286 billion kWh in 2025.
While solar panels can help drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are vital to the carbon transition, the environmental liability risks associated with these technologies are often overlooked.
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall
The primary concern around solar panel disposal lies in their composition. Most solar panels contain various materials, including silicon, glass, aluminum, and plastics, which are relatively benign and can be recycled or safely disposed of.
However, specific components, such as cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide thin-film solar cells, contain toxic elements that pose environmental and health risks.
Cadmium, for one, is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause serious harm to humans and ecosystems if it leaches into the environment. While the amount of cadmium in each solar panel is relatively small, the cumulative impact of large-scale solar panel disposal could pose a significant risk if mishandled.
Landfills also face liability risks if toxic waste disposal from solar panels goes awry. Crouch cited a claims example from a landfill in the Southeast that accepts out-of-state waste. Without a precise process for identifying and handling hazardous materials, the operator faced violations and hefty costs to remove mixed waste.
“The result is they’ve had some significant issues that have been brought to the awareness of their underwriters, and we are struggling to get them insurance,” said Crouch.
Additionally, certain types of solar panels may contain other hazardous materials in trace amounts, such as lead, arsenic, and selenium.
There are currently limited facilities licensed to handle solar panel waste in California, where stricter environmental laws impact waste handling.
“The vast majority of waste is shipped out of state,” said Henry. “So, while we are one of the largest users of solar panels, most of our waste is shipped out of state because our facilities aren’t permitted to handle them.”
Crouch noted that transporting hazardous solar panel waste for disposal also carries elevated risks, especially when shipped across state lines.
“If you’re exporting your waste, you’re creating a bigger risk for an upset and overturn during the transportation, which could lead to pollution incidents,” said Crouch.
Jencap is one of the largest wholesalers in the US with notable industry-leading expertise in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and program management. Its specialized divisions and affiliate organizations provide niche underwriting prowess, broad market access, and nationwide influence. Headquartered in New York, Jencap leverages its collective power to exceed the expectations of more than 20,000 independent agency partners.
Find out more
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, agreed that insureds often overlook the environmental impact of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges,” Dubrowsky said.
There are also concerns about whether solar panel components are correctly recycled. Dubrowsky pointed out that recyclable materials are often treated as commodities, and whether they are truly recycled or end up in landfills depends on their economic viability.
In Partnership with
Solar panels are designed to last for decades, typically with warranties ranging from 25 to 30 years. However, like all electronic devices, they eventually reach the end of their operational lifespan and must be disposed of safely.
“The state of California has legislation to encourage people to recycle solar panels. But what happens when they go to these facilities, and the value doesn’t even make sense to store it?” he asked. “I think that is where the bigger issue is.”
Henry stressed that consumers and businesses must know the repercussions of investing in renewable energy sources.
“Alternative energy may help abate excess carbon, but there’s a broader picture that people need to be aware of,” he said. “It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment.”
“It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment”
Loren Henry,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution,” said Canaan Crouch, managing director, environmental division, Jencap Specialty Insurance Services.
Industry experts
Loren Henry
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Jared Dubrowsky
NFP
Canaan Crouch
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Industry experts
Child actor-turned-geologist-turned-insurance underwriter Canaan Crouch brings next-level expertise to the environmental and professional liability team at Jencap as managing director, environmental division. His depth of industry understanding and charisma to capture an audience make Crouch a sought-after speaker and media consultant. With 22 years of insurance experience, Crouch specializes in working with architects & engineers, environmental contractors, construction managers, manufacturing firms, real estate holding companies, and real estate developers.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Canaan Crouch
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, has an extensive background developing solutions for clients’ environmental insurance needs in several different industries including commercial real estate. NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement, and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.
NFP
Jared Dubrowsky
Loren Henry has spent years on the soccer pitch, but now, as vice president of environmental and energy at leading wholesaler Jencap, he’s pitching his clients on ways to place challenging coverage. Henry’s got more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry specializing in energy and environmental. After stints at Sloan Mason, Worldwide Facilities, and Amwins, he recently joined Jencap to spearhead the energy practice. Henry knows the importance of understanding market appetites, the unique risks associated with energy exposures, and the shift toward renewable energy that offers new and complex challenges.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Loren Henry
Share
Solar panel disposal – what are the environmental risks?
Share
Canaan Crouch
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Jared Dubrowsky
NFP
Loren Henry
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Loren Henry has spent years on the soccer pitch, but now, as vice president of environmental and energy at leading wholesaler Jencap, he’s pitching his clients on ways to place challenging coverage. Henry’s got more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry specializing in energy and environmental. After stints at Sloan Mason, Worldwide Facilities, and Amwins, he recently joined Jencap to spearhead the energy practice. Henry knows the importance of understanding market appetites, the unique risks associated with energy exposures, and the shift toward renewable energy that offers new and complex challenges.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Loren Henry
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, has an extensive background developing solutions for clients’ environmental insurance needs in several different industries including commercial real estate. NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement, and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.
NFP
Jared Dubrowsky
Child actor-turned-geologist-turned-insurance underwriter Canaan Crouch brings next-level expertise to the environmental and professional liability team at Jencap as managing director, environmental division. His depth of industry understanding and charisma to capture an audience make Crouch a sought-after speaker and media consultant. With 22 years of insurance experience, Crouch specializes in working with architects & engineers, environmental contractors, construction managers, manufacturing firms, real estate holding companies, and real estate developers.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Canaan Crouch
Are contractors and facilities recycling solar panels properly?
Published June 17, 2024
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People
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution”
Canaan Crouch,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges”
Jared Dubrowsky,
NFP
“From the pollution standpoint, the biggest factor in solar panels is what we do with them when they reach the end of their lifespan,” said Loren Henry, vice president, environmental and energy practice at Jencap Specialty Insurance Services. “We’re starting to see some of those at the end of that initial life cycle of solar panels, particularly in California.”
California, Texas, and Florida are the states producing the most solar energy, according to the Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Henry said that while 80 percent of solar panels are made from recyclable materials, they still contain toxic metals.
“How are we handling those materials, and where are they going?” he asked. “We need to be aware of the long-term impacts to the environment when implementing new green technologies.
“Yes, we’re getting away from oil and gas. But what are we overlooking to produce, manufacture, implement, and then recycle or destroy these materials once their life is finished?”
As private citizens embrace solar power, they will also be exposed to pollution liability risks not covered by their homeowners’ insurance. Dubrowsky warned that without adequate environmental insurance, individuals could face scrutiny from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and potential consequences.
“It's definitely a concern,” he said. “I do think the EPA will probably try to minimize that. But that’s just speculation. They want [solar panels] to be recycled properly because they are classified as hazardous waste.”
For Crouch, there are still many unanswered questions around the risks of solar panel disposal, such as how liability will be determined if hazardous materials from panels owned by private citizens pollute a landfill.
“Commercial entities are regulated under the federal statute RCRA, which assigns liability from creation to disposal. The generator of waste remains liable, even if pollution occurs post-disposal in a landfill,” said Crouch. “But what do we do with private citizens who have material construed as hazardous that they dispose of at a landfill, causing pollution?”
The Jencap specialists stressed that individuals and corporations alike should be aware of the risks surrounding renewables. Education and risk mitigation, especially for environmental impacts, will play a key role in ensuring the energy transition remains genuinely sustainable.
“You can’t throw away the solar panels in your local municipal solid waste landfill. You can’t take all the panels off your roof, leave them on the street corner or the curb, and expect your garbage man to come and take them away,” Crouch said. “You must arrange alternative methods of removal and disposal.”
Henry added, “We need more research and more solutions on how to handle that waste effectively and dispose of it properly.
“Shipping waste to other states is probably not the best solution, but we’re so focused on moving forward with this green energy revolution that we’re not addressing the long-term implications.”
Long-term liability questions over solar panel waste disposal
Utility
Non-residential
Residential
40
30
20
10
2014
The US is set to hit a new record for solar installations
Solar photovoltaic capacity installed by segment in gigawatts
Source: SEIA/Wood Mackenzie, Power & Renewables US Solar Market Insight Report Q4 2023
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Projected
Have already installed
Have given serious thought to installing
Homeowners in West most likely to have considered or installed solar panels
% of US homeowners who say they solar panels within the past 12 months
Pacific
Census region
U.S. homeowners
NET
West
South
Mountain
Note: respondents who gave other responses or did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center, Americans Largely Favour US Taking Steps to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050, survey conducted Jan. 24–30, 2022
South Atlantic
East South Central
West South Central
Northeast
Midwest
62
47
51
47
37
47
47
40
39
8
39
8
35
2
37
14
42
5
40
7
36
4
45
17
Copyright © 2024 KM Business Information US, Inc
RSS
Sitemap
Contact us
About us
Conditions of Use
Privacy policy
Terms & conditions
People
Utility
Non-residential
Residential
40
30
20
10
2014
The U.S. is set to hit a new record
for solar installations
Solar photovoltaic capacity installed by segment in gigawatts
Source: SEIA/Wood Mackenzie, Power & Renewables US Solar Market Insight Report Q4 2023
2016
2018
2020
2022
2024
Projected
Jencap is one of the largest wholesalers in the US with notable industry-leading expertise in wholesale brokerage, binding authority, and program management. Its specialized divisions and affiliate organizations provide niche underwriting prowess, broad market access, and nationwide influence. Headquartered in New York, Jencap leverages its collective power to exceed the expectations of more than 20,000 independent agency partners.
Find out more
“The state of California has legislation to encourage people to recycle solar panels. But what happens when they go to these facilities, and the value doesn’t even make sense to store it?” he asked. “I think that is where the bigger issue is.”
Henry stressed that consumers and businesses must know the repercussions of investing in renewable energy sources.
“Alternative energy may help abate excess carbon, but there’s a broader picture that people need to be aware of,” he said. “It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment.”
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, agreed that insureds often overlook the environmental impact of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power.
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges,” Dubrowsky said.
There are also concerns about whether solar panel components are correctly recycled. Dubrowsky pointed out that recyclable materials are often treated as commodities, and whether they are truly recycled or end up in landfills depends on their economic viability.
Landfills also face liability risks if toxic waste disposal from solar panels goes awry. Crouch cited a claims example from a landfill in the Southeast that accepts out-of-state waste. Without a precise process for identifying and handling hazardous materials, the operator faced violations and hefty costs to remove mixed waste.
“The result is they’ve had some significant issues that have been brought to the awareness of their underwriters, and we are struggling to get them insurance,” said Crouch.
Are contractors and facilities recycling solar panels properly?
As private citizens embrace solar power, they will also be exposed to pollution liability risks not covered by their homeowners’ insurance. Dubrowsky warned that without adequate environmental insurance, individuals could face scrutiny from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and potential consequences.
“It's definitely a concern,” he said. “I do think the EPA will probably try to minimize that. But that’s just speculation. They want [solar panels] to be recycled properly because they are classified as hazardous waste.”
For Crouch, there are still many unanswered questions around the risks of solar panel disposal, such as how liability will be determined if hazardous materials from panels owned by private citizens pollute a landfill.
“Commercial entities are regulated under the federal statute RCRA, which assigns liability from creation to disposal. The generator of waste remains liable, even if pollution occurs post-disposal in a landfill,” said Crouch. “But what do we do with private citizens who have material construed as hazardous that they dispose of at a landfill, causing pollution?”
The Jencap specialists stressed that individuals and corporations alike should be aware of the risks surrounding renewables. Education and risk mitigation, especially for environmental impacts, will play a key role in ensuring the energy transition remains genuinely sustainable.
“You can’t throw away the solar panels in your local municipal solid waste landfill. You can’t take all the panels off your roof, leave them on the street corner or the curb, and expect your garbage man to come and take them away,” Crouch said. “You must arrange alternative methods of removal and disposal.”
Henry added, “We need more research and more solutions on how to handle that waste effectively and dispose of it properly.
“Shipping waste to other states is probably not the best solution, but we’re so focused on moving forward with this green energy revolution that we’re not addressing the long-term implications.”
Long-term liability questions over solar panel waste disposal
Additionally, certain types of solar panels may contain other hazardous materials in trace amounts, such as lead, arsenic, and selenium.
There are currently limited facilities licensed to handle solar panel waste in California, where stricter environmental laws impact waste handling.
“The vast majority of waste is shipped out of state,” said Henry. “So, while we are one of the largest users of solar panels, most of our waste is shipped out of state because our facilities aren’t permitted to handle them.”
Crouch noted that transporting hazardous solar panel waste for disposal also carries elevated risks, especially when shipped across state lines.
“If you’re exporting your waste, you’re creating a bigger risk for an upset and overturn during the transportation, which could lead to pollution incidents,” said Crouch.
The primary concern around solar panel disposal lies in their composition. Most solar panels contain various materials, including silicon, glass, aluminum, and plastics, which are relatively benign and can be recycled or safely disposed of.
However, specific components, such as cadmium telluride and copper indium gallium selenide thin-film solar cells, contain toxic elements that pose environmental and health risks.
Cadmium, for one, is a highly toxic heavy metal that can cause serious harm to humans and ecosystems if it leaches into the environment. While the amount of cadmium in each solar panel is relatively small, the cumulative impact of large-scale solar panel disposal could pose a significant risk if mishandled.
“How are we handling those materials, and where are they going?” he asked. “We need to be aware of the long-term impacts to the environment when implementing new green technologies.
“Yes, we’re getting away from oil and gas. But what are we overlooking to produce, manufacture, implement, and then recycle or destroy these materials once their life is finished?”
“From the pollution standpoint, the biggest factor in solar panels is what we do with them when they reach the end of their lifespan,” said Loren Henry, vice president, environmental and energy practice at Jencap Specialty Insurance Services. “We’re starting to see some of those at the end of that initial life cycle of solar panels, particularly in California.”
California, Texas, and Florida are the states producing the most solar energy, according to the Environment America Research & Policy Center.
Henry said that while 80 percent of solar panels are made from recyclable materials, they still contain toxic metals.
Solar panel disposal – what are the environmental risks?
Solar panels are designed to last for decades, typically with warranties ranging from 25 to 30 years. However, like all electronic devices, they eventually reach the end of their operational lifespan and must be disposed of safely.
The demand for renewable energy sources has led to a boom in solar power generation.
Better technology and lower costs have made it easier and more accessible for Americans to harness solar energy, which has now become the fastest-growing renewable source in the US. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects solar power generation to surge 75 percent, from 163 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in 2023 to 286 billion kWh in 2025.
While solar panels can help drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are vital to the carbon transition, the environmental liability risks associated with these technologies are often overlooked.
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution,” said Canaan Crouch, managing director, environmental division, Jencap Specialty Insurance Services.
Published June 17, 2024
“While these alternatives to carbon fuels are celebrated, the reality is that wind turbines and solar panels present disposal challenges”
Jared Dubrowsky,
NFP
“There’s been such a heightened awareness on carbon reduction, but not enough awareness has been drawn to the overall environmental impact of green energy, which includes soil pollution and groundwater pollution”
Canaan Crouch,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
“It’s not just carbon emissions you have to be concerned with; overconsumption of any resource is not going to be sustainable. As consumers, we need to be aware of how products impact our environment”
Loren Henry,
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Have already installed
Have given serious thought to installing
Homeowners in West most likely to have considered or installed solar panels
% of US homeowners who say they solar panels within the past 12 months
Pacific
Census region
U.S. homeowners
NET
West
South
Mountain
Note: respondents who gave other responses or did not give an answer are not shown.
Source: Pew Research Center, Americans Largely Favour US Taking Steps to Become Carbon Neutral by 2050, survey conducted Jan. 24–30, 2022
South Atlantic
East South Central
West South Central
Northeast
Midwest
62
47
51
47
37
47
47
40
39
8
39
8
35
2
37
14
42
5
40
7
36
4
45
17
Share
Loren Henry
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Jared Dubrowsky
NFP
Canaan Crouch
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Industry experts
Where do solar panels go when they die? Environmental risk experts are asking this question as more and more panels approach the end of their lifespan
The dark side of solar panels
More
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Loren Henry has spent years on the soccer pitch, but now, as vice president of environmental and energy at leading wholesaler Jencap, he’s pitching his clients on ways to place challenging coverage. Henry’s got more than a decade of experience in the insurance industry specializing in energy and environmental. After stints at Sloan Mason, Worldwide Facilities, and Amwins, he recently joined Jencap to spearhead the energy practice. Henry knows the importance of understanding market appetites, the unique risks associated with energy exposures, and the shift toward renewable energy that offers new and complex challenges.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Loren Henry
Jared Dubrowsky, senior vice president, environmental practice at NFP, has an extensive background developing solutions for clients’ environmental insurance needs in several different industries including commercial real estate. NFP is a leading insurance broker and consultant providing specialized property and casualty, corporate benefits, retirement, and individual solutions through its licensed subsidiaries and affiliates.
NFP
Jared Dubrowsky
Child actor-turned-geologist-turned-insurance underwriter Canaan Crouch brings next-level expertise to the environmental and professional liability team at Jencap as managing director, environmental division. His depth of industry understanding and charisma to capture an audience make Crouch a sought-after speaker and media consultant. With 22 years of insurance experience, Crouch specializes in working with architects & engineers, environmental contractors, construction managers, manufacturing firms, real estate holding companies, and real estate developers.
Jencap Specialty Insurance Services
Canaan Crouch