Solar cables after dismantling — a problem or a valuable raw material?
Photovoltaic installations have been breaking popularity records in Poland for several years. Increasingly, however, we are reaching a point where the first PV systems require modernisation, replacement of damaged components, or complete dismantling — for example, when selling a property, changing technology, or simply after the panels have reached the end of their service life. In such situations, owners are left with bundles of solar cables that take up space in the garage or sit in the basement with no plan for disposal. Meanwhile, these cables have real market value and can be converted into cash at a cable scrap dealer.
What is a solar cable made of?
A solar cable (most commonly designated as PV1-F or H1Z2Z2-K) is a single-core conductor designed specifically for outdoor use — resistant to UV radiation, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Its core is made of copper, typically in the form of a flexible stranded wire, surrounded by double insulation made of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) or EVA.
It is precisely the copper that makes a solar cable a valuable type of cable scrap. A typical PV cable has a cross-section of between 4 mm² and 10 mm², and in a standard residential installation (5–10 kWp) the total length of such cables ranges from several dozen to even several hundred metres. In the case of industrial installations, we are talking about quantities measured in kilometres.
What happens to the cables after they are removed from the roof?
After a photovoltaic system is dismantled, cables follow one of three possible routes:
- Reuse — if the cables are in very good technical condition and have not been excessively exposed to UV, an installer may resell them or use them in another project. However, this rarely happens, as solar installation cables are cut to length and are difficult to repurpose without waste.
- Storage — the most common scenario for individual customers. The cables end up in a bag or container and wait for a better moment that usually never comes.
- Cable scrap dealer — the most financially rewarding and environmentally responsible option. The cable is taken to a scrap dealer, weighed and valued, and the owner receives cash.
How much is the copper in solar cables worth?
The price of a cable at a scrap dealer depends on several factors: the current price of copper on the LME exchange, the metal content of the cable (the so-called yield), and the condition of the cable. Solar cables, thanks to their relatively thick core and high copper purity, achieve better rates than, for example, old installation cables from the 1980s, where insulation accounts for a significantly larger share of the total weight.
For reference — a typical PV1-F 6 mm² cable has a copper yield of approximately 55–65% of the total weight. At current copper scrap prices and with the quantity of cables from an average residential installation (e.g. 100 kg of cables), we are talking about an amount that can realistically cover part of the cost of new materials when upgrading the system.
If you want to find out current rates or arrange collection of a larger batch of cables, check out cable scrap dealer Poznań Wilda and Dębiec — this is one of the EURO-SCRAP locations serving both individual customers and companies in the renewable energy sector.
How does solar cable buying work at EURO-SCRAP?
The process is simple and transparent:
- You bring in or arrange collection of the cables — for large quantities (e.g. from the dismantling of farm installations), the company organises transport.
- The cables are weighed on a certified scale, whose readings form the basis of the settlement — no estimates by eye.
- The company issues a waste transfer document (waste transfer note in the BDO system), which is a legal requirement when handing over cable scrap as waste.
- Payment is made in cash or by bank transfer — depending on the transaction value and the customer's preference.
BDO documentation is particularly important for companies — PV installers and service technicians who, as part of their business, dismantle installations at customers' premises and are obliged to properly manage the resulting waste.
Recycling copper from solar cables — why it matters
Copper is a material that is fully recyclable without any loss of its properties. Copper recovered from solar cables goes to smelters, where it is remelted and reintroduced into industrial circulation. This reduces the need for copper ore mining, which is an energy-intensive and environmentally damaging process.
Copper recycling consumes up to 85% less energy than primary production — which is why taking cables to a scrap dealer is not only a financial matter but also a real environmental benefit. Given the scale of the growing number of PV installations in Poland, the quantities of solar cables entering the waste market will increase steadily in the coming years.
Where to take solar cables in Poznań and the Greater Poland region
EURO-SCRAP buys copper and aluminium cables in Poznań and throughout the Greater Poland (Wielkopolska) region. We serve both private individuals dismantling a single residential installation and installation companies or contractors servicing large PV farms.
Our service area also covers locations outside Poznań. Customers from northern Greater Poland frequently use the cable scrap dealer Wągrowiec service. For customers from outside the immediate region who are looking for a scrap dealer in their city, it is worth checking cable scrap dealer Gorzów Wielkopolski or cable scrap dealer Koszalin — locations covering a wider area of EURO-SCRAP's operations.
The company's full offer, including details on buying various types of cables and wiring, can be found at full scrap metal and non-ferrous metals buying offer at EURO-SCRAP.
Summary — is it worth taking solar cables to a scrap dealer?
The short answer is: yes. PV cables contain high-quality copper, whose scrap price is stable and has consistently followed upward market trends. Rather than keeping cables in the garage or disposing of them in an uncontrolled manner — which is contrary to waste regulations — it is worth contacting a scrap dealer, obtaining a current valuation, and converting cable scrap into cash. At the same time, you will ensure that a valuable raw material enters the recycling stream rather than ending up at an illegal dump site.
