Concept

Challenge of Solar Panel Waste

Globally, PV waste is expected to skyrocket from 400,000 tonnes in 2020 to over 5.5 million tonnes per year by 2050.

Yet, current recycling methods fall short, recovering only the most basic components, such as aluminum frames and contaminated glass.

As a result, valuable materials like silicon, which accounts for 40% of a module’s cost, and other metals such as silver, are rarely recovered. This means that most of the panel’s true value and its potential for reuse are lost.

APOLLO aims to transform this and recover these valuable metals.

A diagram showing a recycling process with a satellite or drone above, arrows pointing to three sections: aluminum, glass, and silicon and other metals. The aluminum section has a silver aluminum foil with an aluminum symbol. The glass section has a mirror, and the silicon and other metals section has silicon and metal ore images with a label 'RECOVER LOST METALS.' Each section has a green checkmark indicating successful recycling.

APOLLO’s Mission

APOLLO is redefining how we think about solar waste. It pioneers a circular economy approach that links:

Legacy recycling

Future PV module production

Next-generation recycling systems

Using these five key processes, APOLLO increases recovery rates from 18% to 93%.

It all starts with sorting PV waste, extraction, refining, reusing, and tracing materials with blockchain-based transparency.

PV WASTE

Illustration of a solar panel on a stand.
1
Sorting
SORTING
+
Waste categorised by glass composition enabling batch processing for high-quality glass recovery for PV.
2
Extraction
EXTRACTION
+
93% wt of all material types recovered through novel mechanical and sonification processes.
3
Refining
REFINING
+
Recovered Si returned to ingots for re-manufacture into new PV cells.
4
Reusing
REUSING
+
Si, glass, and tech-critical metals will be recovered and demonstrated in new PV modules.
5
Tracing & Circularity
TRACING & CIRCULARITY
+
Secure PV-centred blockchain digital Product Passport and a PV marketplace implemented.

Value chain

At the core of the APOLLO value chain is the APOLLO Micro Factory, which is designed to recover valuable materials from end-of-life solar panels. In collaboration with existing recycling facilities, the factory will process 40 tonnes of photovoltaic (PV) waste to extract high-purity materials, including critical metals, glass, and silicon.  These recovered components will then be refined through ingot growth and wafering. Using these recycled materials, new solar panels will be manufactured for end users, creating an effective circular economy model for the photovoltaic sector. 

Flowchart illustrating the manufacturing process of solar panels, starting from Apollo Micro Factory for Sorting and Extraction, then Silicon Processing, Aluminium Processing, Glass Processing, PV Panel Manufacturing, and finally ending with Solar End Users.

Objectives

Pre-recycling analysis and classification of PV modules by glass composition

A sparkling mirror with reflections and shine effects, surrounded by an orange crescent shape.

Pilot processing line to extract all of the material fractions of legacy and future PVs

Icon of a tank-like robotic vehicle with a long arm and a large sensor or tool at the top, encircled by a partial orange ring.

Refinement of reclaimed PV Si to facilitate ingot growth for new PV

Recycling symbol with a circular arrow design in black and blue, surrounded by an orange ring.

Specify and build future PV modules (standard c-Si and tandem Per/Si) with improved recyclability incorporating APOLLO innovations

Illustration of a solar panel on a dark background, encircled by an orange ring.

Develop and implement a PV-centred Digital Product Passport (DPP) facilitating an online marketplace

Computer monitor displaying a shopping cart icon, indicating online shopping or e-commerce.

Develop, quantify and promote a new circular business model for waste PV

A gear with a dollar sign in the center, surrounded by two circular arrows, and an orange curved arrow encircling the gear.

Milestones

Diagram showing the order of major elements in the Sun's atmosphere, including the corona, chromosphere, and photosphere, with labeled regions such as M18, M24, M27, M30, and M34.