Space

I think they would have to be able to actively jettison all the modules. For one, a loose cluster will be really hard to predict the impact zone. NASA does try to make sure debris falls over large areas of open ocean.

But I also think it isn't operationally workable. I don't think the joints can be remotely disconnected. That means your suggestion requires having crew on board or maybe even doing a series of spacewalks to do this work. I don't think NASA would be ok with having a bunch of loose and uncontrolled modules in the vicinity of crew spacewalking and eventually a departing capsule. It would be really hard to manage collision risk in that scenario.

So I think either they would try to ditch the solar panels in a controlled fashion so they can more accurately deorbit the whole thing into the pacific, or they'll have to develope small bolt on thruster packs that can safely jettison the modules 1 by 1.