Reintegration of photovoltaic panel waste back into manufacturing as high value products (RETRIEVE)
The Horizon Europe project RETRIEVE aims to establish a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to the recycling of photovoltaic modules. This should strengthen the European photovoltaic industry and pave the way for a greener and more efficient future.
Europe is highly dependent on solar modules from non-European countries. In addition, several million tonnes of electronic waste from old modules can be expected by 2050 - in Europe alone. The RETRIEVE project ("Reintegration of photovoltaic panel waste back into manufacturing as high value products") aims to solve both problems simultaneously:
Dependence on primary raw materials is to be reduced through the circular utilisation of resources, sustainable products and innovations, and the domestic supply of raw materials in the EU is to be strengthened. At the same time, this approach supports the growth of the emerging PV recycling industry.
RETRIEVE will increase the recyclability and minimise the environmental impact of the PV industry by developing and demonstrating cost-effective recycling technologies for the various components of a solar module. By reducing the financial burden of recovering materials, RETRIEVE will make the entire module recycling process more profitable and open up new avenues for commercialisation.
HI ERN contributes its expertise in the development of techno-economic scenarios. Through the associated analyses, both the potential commercial benefits of circular recycling will be examined, and a long-term vision for integration into a far-reaching circular economy will be developed.
Project partners
RETRIEVE targets the upcycling of the components of the End of Life (EoL) solar panels, enhancing the material quality to meet current requirements for reintroduction into the PV value chain.
Project period
Oktober 1, 2023 - March 31, 2023
Funding
This project is funded by the European Union's "Horizon Europe" research and innovation programme with € 6.9 million.
More about the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation "Horizon Europe" hier (in german).
Contact
Dr. Ian Marius Peters
Gruppenleiter "Hochdurchsatz Charakterisierung und Modellierung für die PV"
Room 2.3