PV ReValue

In 2022, the global capacity generated by photovoltaics exceeded the 1,000 GW mark. This success clearly shows the development that can still be expected from PV technologies in the future. In Austria, the installed capacity already exceeded 2 GW in 2020 and continues to experience high growth rates. The amount of end-of-life (EoL) PV modules is still relatively small, but we should already be prepared for an increase in return rates in the coming years. What to do with end-of-life solar panels? How can they be recycled and - their components - sensibly reused? These and related questions are addressed by the PVReValue research project. Based on existing research results, the aim is to generate the scientific and technical foundations for a complete reprocessing and recycling process for PV modules. In order to develop a holistic process to achieve a recycling rate of more than 95% by weight, the following steps are considered: Input characterization Composite separation Further processing Output characterization Utilization of the output fractions The innovation content lies, on the one hand, in the multi-stage composite separation, which causes a pre-fractionation of the fractions to be further processed; on the other hand, in the complex combination of further processing methods for the extracted fractions. The high quality of the process already starts with the input characterization, whereby modules can be selectively charged and output qualities subsequently modeled and adjusted accordingly. The PVReValue research project thus generates high-quality recyclable secondary raw materials in the sense of a functioning circular economy.