SOLARCYCLE, ASU Advance Solar Panel Circularity with Recycled Glass

In a notable advancement for sustainable solar manufacturing, U.S.-based solar panel recycling firm SOLARCYCLE has announced a breakthrough in the use of recycled materials for new photovoltaic production. According to a joint statement, the company has successfully developed a prototype solar panel incorporating 50% recycled glass sourced from decommissioned solar modules.

As reported by SOLARCYCLE, the proof-of-concept “mini module” was developed in collaboration with Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. The research team, led by Dr. Zachary Holman, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, evaluated the performance of the recycled-glass modules against panels made from traditional virgin materials.

According to ASU’s published findings, the test modules—crafted with a blend of recycled and virgin solar glass processed via SOLARCYCLE’s proprietary technology—performed on par with their conventional counterparts. Performance metrics such as power conversion efficiency revealed no statistically significant differences, confirming that recycled materials can match the quality standards required in today’s solar market.

“This is exactly the kind of result we hope for when industry and academia collaborate,” said Dr. Holman. “It’s not just a lab success—it’s a path forward for the industry.”

As reported by SOLARCYCLE, the innovation is part of its wider efforts to close the loop in solar panel manufacturing and reduce mounting volumes of solar waste.  According to the data from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the global volume of solar panel waste could reach over 78 million tonnes by 2050 if end-of-life strategies are not accelerated.

To commercialize this model, SOLARCYCLE plans to build the world’s first solar glass manufacturing plant that uses recycled cullet as a core input. The facility is set to be located adjacent to the company’s existing recycling site in Cedartown, Georgia.

“By proving we can manufacture new solar panels using recycled materials that produce at peak performance levels, we’re taking a major step toward making the solar industry more sustainable, scalable, and self-reliant,” said Pablo Dias, SOLARCYCLE’s CTO and Co-Founder. “Pushing the envelope in innovation is core to our mission, and this achievement shows why.”

The project is among dozens of patented research initiatives led by SOLARCYCLE’s global team of over 30 engineers and scientists across the U.S., Brazil, and China, the company says. And it has established research partnerships with leading academic institutions, including ASU, to accelerate innovation in solar circularity.

Source: SOLARCYCLE