Reintegration of photovoltaic panel waste back into manufacturing as high value

RETRIEVE (reintegration of photovoltaic panel waste back into manufacturing as high value) aims to combine PV upstream value chain organizations with beyond state-of-the-art recycling processes and techniques to improve circularity .

Factsheet

  • Lead school School of Engineering and Computer Science
  • Institute(s) Institute for Data Applications and Security (IDAS)
  • Research unit(s) IDAS / Management Science, Innovation, Sustainability and Entrepreneurship (MSIE)
  • Strategic thematic field Thematic field "Sustainable Development"
  • Funding organisation Europäische Union
  • Duration (planned) 01.10.2023 - 31.03.2027
  • Project management Prof. Dr. Stefan Grösser
  • Head of project Prof. Dr. Stefan Grösser
  • Partner Institutt for energiteknikk
    IFE Invest AS
    Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderu
    REC Solar Norway AS
    NorSun AS
    Iberdrola S.A.
    ACCIÓ - Agència per la Competitivitat de l'Empresa
    Institute of higher Education King Danylo University
    Türkiye Şişe ve Cam Fabrikaları A.Ş
    UAB Valoe Cells
    UAB SoliTek R&D
    Barna Steel S.A.
    Ferimet SL
    TotalEnergies One Tech
    Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH
    RPIA – Romanian Photovoltaic Industry Associaltion
    Vlaamse Instelling voor Technologisch Onderzoek
  • Keywords Circular Economy, photovoltaic system, recycling, reuse, business model, information system, product passport, platform

Situation

Europe has been extremely dependent on the PV panels brought from non-European suppliers. RETRIEVE tackles the raw material independence of Europe and will convert the forecasted influx of outdated panels into valuable resources for the manufacture of Europe-made photovoltaic panels, supporting in parallel the growth of the aspiring PV recycling industry. The bold and comprehensive approach proposed in RETRIEVE will reduce dependency on primary raw materials through the circular use of resources, sustainable products and innovation whilst strengthening domestic sourcing of raw materials in the EU.

Course of action

The project involves multiple partners, including research organizations, private companies, and higher education institutions, working collaboratively to develop innovative solutions. For instance, the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics (CSP) is contributing its expertise in material analysis and process optimization to improve the quality of recycled materials for reintegration into the photovoltaic value chain (Deutsch - Fraunhofer IMWS). Additionally, RETRIEVE aligns with the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which mandates producers to finance the collection, treatment, recovery, and disposal of PV waste,

This project contributes to the following SDGs

  • 7: Affordable and clean energy
  • 11: Sustainable cities and communities
  • 12: Responsible consumption and production