Solarcycle announced a breakthrough in solar circularity with the successful development of a proof-of-concept solar panel made with 50% recycled glass from solar panels at the end of life.
The demonstration panel, or ‘mini module’, was developed in collaboration with the IRA A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University. Under the leadership of Zachary Holman, Vice -Dean for Research and Innovation, the project tested the performance potential of solar panels built with specialized recycled glass. The research showed that panels made with recycled tanning glass correspond to the performance of those made with traditional materials, which marked a critical step towards a closed-loop solar production process.
ASU researcher Kate Fisher Manufactured Baseline Mini modules with commercial virgin lash and test mini modules using a 50/50 mix of virgin materials and recycled glass of the End-of-Life solar panels that were processed via Solarcycle’s own recycling technology. With the help of industrial standard power-conversion-efficiency tests, researchers evaluated both sets of modules and discovered that the modules built with recycled glass performed, as well as that made with virgin glass, without statistical significant differences between important statistics.
“This is precisely the kind of result that we hope for when the industry and the academic world work together,” said Dr. Holman. “Together we have proven that you do not have to sacrifice performance to build solar panels more sustainable. It is not just a laboratory success – it is a path ahead for industry.”
These mini modulet tests support the wider Mission of Solarcycle to close the loop in the production of solar panel, to reduce solar waste and to strengthen the domestic solar -supply chain. Solarcycle is planning to build a solar glass factory in addition to its recycling facility in Cedartown, Georgia. There it will be the first in the world to use recycled Cullet as an important input.
“By proving that we can produce new solar panels with the help of recycled materials that produce at peak performance levels, we are taking an important step in the direction of the more sustainable, more razor and self-reluctant,” said Pablo Dias, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder at Solarcycle. “Pushing the envelope into innovation is the core of our mission and this achievement shows why.”
This proof-of-concept research is one of the dozens of patented developments of Solarcycle. The company has built one of the world’s best research and development teams for recycling solar energy, with more than 30 engineers and scientists in the US, Brazil and China. It works together with world -class institutions such as Arizona State University to accelerate research and grow its talent pipeline.
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