Solar panels contain many valuable materials. Still, most of them end up discarded after use. Now researchers are investigating new ways of recycling.

Solar panels, vital to the renewable energy revolution, contain valuable materials such as silicon, aluminium, copper, silver, glass, and polymers. Yet, at the end of their lifespan—typically 25-30 years—most panels are discarded in landfills, wasting these critical resources. Researchers are now stepping up to address this growing environmental challenge.

Coordinated by the Norwegian science institute SINTEF, an EU-funded research project called QUASAR aims to revolutionize the recycling of solar panels, ensuring that more materials can be recovered and reused in the solar cell industry and beyond. With a focus on advancing circularity, the project is developing cutting-edge technologies to recycle 70-90% of key materials, including silicon, metals, glass, and polymers, at high purity levels.

Recycling Beyond Aluminium and Glass

Currently, recycling efforts for solar panels mainly recover aluminium frames and glass, while other materials—such as silicon, silver, and polymers—are largely discarded.

“Today, only aluminium and glass are commonly recycled. Silicon, silver, and polymer fractions often end up as waste,” says Martin Bellmann, Senior Business Developer at SINTEF and coordinator of the QUASAR project. “Our goal is to change that by creating technologies that unlock access to these valuable materials.”

The encapsulated structure of solar panels and the evolving design of newer models present significant challenges for recycling. Panels differ in size, material composition, and properties, making it difficult to create a one-size-fits-all recycling solution. QUASAR addresses these issues with innovative approaches.

The QUASAR project integrates advanced tools to achieve full circularity of solar panel materials. Key initiatives include:

• Innovative Recycling Technologies: Developing methods to efficiently separate and process materials from decommissioned panels.
• Digital Product Passports: Leveraging digital twin technology, these passports will track and manage solar panels throughout their lifecycle, providing key information on production, material composition, and condition.
• Artificial Intelligence: AI-driven solutions will assess the condition of used panels, determining whether they can be reused, repaired, or recycled.

The combination of these technologies aims to optimize resource recovery, minimize waste, and improve cost efficiency for the solar industry.

The QUASAR project is funded under the European Union’s HORIZON – Sustainable, secure, and competitive energy supply program (grant agreement number 101122298). Launched in September 2023, the project will run until November 2027, bringing together experts and stakeholders to pave the way for a greener, more sustainable solar energy industry.

By implementing these innovative recycling solutions, the QUASAR team is contributing to a more sustainable and resource-efficient future, ensuring that the solar panels powering the renewable energy transition leave behind a smaller environmental footprint.

For more information about the QUASAR project, visit the official website: https://quasar-project.eu/.

Follow the project’s updates on LinkedIn: QUASAR LinkedIn Page.