Trinasolar, a leading global supplier of photovoltaic and energy storage solutions, has announced that it has successfully produced the world’s first fully recycled c-Si module. The Research Centre Academy of Trinasolar made the breakthrough with its innovative self-developed recycling technology, using materials including silicon, sliver, aluminium frames and glass recovered from waste modules. This is a significant milestone for the industry, and solidifies Trinasolar’s position as a leader in the sustainability space.
Trinasolar has presented the world’s first c-Si module made entirely from recycled materials. Image Credit: Trinasolar
The production of the world’s first recycled Photovoltaic (PV) module was led by Trinasolar and completed in collaboration with upstream and downstream partners. Through this process, Trinasolar has achieved all-component recycling of high-value materials from waste PV panels.
This was accomplished using multiple innovate techniques, including the use of self-developed interlayer separation reagents, chemical etching technology and wet chemical silver extraction technology. The recycled PV module uses n-type TOPCon technology and has a golden size design, with a module efficiency of 20.7 % and a power output exceeding 645 W.
Gao Jifan, Chairman and CEO of Trinasolar and Director of Central R&D Institute, said that the production of the world’s first fully recycled c-Si module signifies Trinasolar’s continued commitment to sustainable development in the PV industry, and contribution towards the global energy transition.
Trinasolar is committed to developing advanced technological solutions for recovering and recycling waste PV modules, not only complying with international standards such as the European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, but going even further by developing its own technology. The company has applied for 37 patents in the field of module recycling.
Trinasolar is similarly focused on minimising the environmental impact of its manufacturing operations. The company has been a member of PV Cycle since 2010 and has developed a series of compliant disposal methods for end-of-life PV modules to reduce environmental pollution. Its breakthrough in module recycling technology not only provides a key solution to the mass decommissioning of PV modules, but also sets an example for what is possible in the PV industry.