Andy Kim visits New Jersey solar panel recycler as state pushes circular economy

U.S. Sen. Andy Kim toured Commercial Solar Panel Recycling in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, as part of his Einstein Corridor initiative focused on innovation and clean energy jobs. The visit underscored New Jersey’s push to lead solar panel recycling, recover critical minerals and build domestic supply chains as retired solar equipment piles up.

Why it matters: - New Jersey is positioning solar panel recycling as part of its broader clean energy economy and innovation strategy. - The state is trying to keep valuable materials in circulation instead of sending retired panels to landfills. - The effort could support domestic supply chains, critical mineral recovery and new economic activity.

What happened: - U.S. Sen. Andy Kim visited Commercial Solar Panel Recycling in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. - The Warren County stop was part of Kim’s New Jersey Einstein Corridor vision, a long-term effort to connect government, academia, businesses and investors around innovation. - The visit focused on solar panel recycling, critical mineral recovery and supply chain challenges. - Kim observed the de-manufacturing of solar panels during the tour.

The details: - Commercial Solar Panel Recycling is New Jersey’s only permitted solar panel recycling company. - The company is based in Phillipsburg and is building infrastructure to handle retired solar equipment. - The visit highlighted New Jersey’s solar history, including Bell Labs’ 1954 development of the first practical silicon solar cell. - New Jersey became the first state to adopt mandatory solar panel recycling requirements under S3399. - The company is working on recycling, reuse, logistics, chain-of-custody management and critical mineral recovery. - Commercial Solar Panel Recycling says it is expanding from New Jersey into New York, the Midwest and California. - The company says the goal is to build recycling infrastructure, expertise and partnerships that strengthen domestic supply chains and create economic opportunity. - Sarah Damaskos, managing director of Commercial Solar Panel Recycling, said New Jersey helped pioneer solar technology and now has an opportunity to lead in what comes next. - Damaskos said the solar panel recycling era is already here and that panels deserve a circular pathway rather than a landfill.

Between the lines: - The tour ties clean energy waste management to economic development, not just environmental compliance. - New Jersey is leaning on its historical role in solar innovation to justify a leadership position in the next phase of the industry. - The expansion beyond New Jersey suggests the market for solar recycling is becoming regional and national, not local.

What's next: - Commercial Solar Panel Recycling is expected to keep building its footprint in multiple states as more panels reach end of life. - The Einstein Corridor initiative appears aimed at attracting more innovation-focused partnerships and investment across New Jersey. - Solar recycling capacity is likely to matter more as retired equipment volumes grow over time.

The bottom line: - New Jersey is trying to turn the problem of retired solar panels into an industrial advantage.