US-based Comstock Inc. has reported progress at its industrial-scale solar panel recycling facility in Silver Springs, Nevada, as the company increases processing volumes and develops technology to recover valuable metals from end-of-life solar panels.
In its third-quarter business update, published on 4 November 2026, Comstock confirmed that its recycling subsidiary, Comstock Metals, is continuing to ramp up production following the commencement of continuous operations in September. The facility has completed commissioning and is now focused on improving processing throughput, recovered material quality and customer deliveries.
“Our first industry-scale solar recycling facility began continuous operations in late September, and we are focused on consistent throughput and ramp up, crew proficiency, improving recovered-product quality and expanding customer deliveries,” said Dr Fortunato Villamagna, President of Comstock Metals.
Developing silver recovery technology
Alongside its recycling operations, Comstock Metals is advancing a process designed to recover silver, residual glass and other valuable metals from materials generated during solar panel recycling. The company has completed bench-scale testing and developed a pilot-scale recovery system designed to process one tonne of material per day.
Comstock is targeting further pilot operations during the fourth quarter of 2026 to assess the technology’s potential for recovering higher-value materials. The company has also commissioned a glass upgrading system at Silver Springs, expanding its capabilities for processing recovered materials.
As of 30 September 2026, Comstock Metals held approximately 10,700 tonnes of unprocessed solar panel material, more than double the quantity recorded at the end of 2025. The business has also begun issuing Certificates of Destruction to major customers, documenting the processing of materials received through its recycling operations.
Plans for a second US recycling facility
Looking ahead, Comstock Metals has selected a site in Ohio for its second solar panel recycling facility and commenced preliminary permitting activities. The company expects future facilities to begin with processing capacity of approximately 25,000 tonnes annually, potentially expanding to around 100,000 tonnes as regional demand develops.
Comstock has also secured service agreements with utility companies and electronics recycling aggregators across several US regions, supporting its plans to increase recycling volumes.
With its Nevada facility operational and further materials recovery technology under development, Comstock is progressing its plans to expand domestic recycling infrastructure for end-of-life solar panels. The developments highlight the growing industrial importance of recovering reusable materials from renewable energy equipment as solar installations reach the end of their operational lives.
