Advancing circular PV recycling
How can we make solar truly circular?
For the APOLLO project, the answer lies in turning today’s photovoltaic waste into tomorrow’s resources. Through its public deliverables, APOLLO is building the foundation for a new generation of recycling technologies that recover valuable materials and reintroduce them into the solar value chain.
The project’s latest results demonstrate tangible progress in securing PV waste sources, optimising dismantling and separation processes, and developing advanced purification techniques for reuse in new photovoltaic cells.
Waste PV source secured
A consistent flow of end-of-life PV modules has been established through collaborations with industrial partners. This ensures sufficient input material for APOLLO’s recycling trials and supports the creation of a detailed database of module characteristics—informing process optimisation across the project.
PV waste fragmentation
Efficient mechanical fragmentation processes have been developed and validated. The findings confirm that glass, aluminium, and polymers make up the majority of module mass, providing key insights for scaling up selective recovery and recycling operations.
TCM separation process
More detailed information on each deliverable can be found via the link below.
Innovative extraction methods using deep eutectic solvents (DES) and ultrasound-assisted techniques were successfully applied to recover valuable metals from PV waste. The approach significantly accelerates recovery rates while reducing the environmental impact of chemical treatments.
Silicon purification via chemical methods
Laboratory-scale studies have demonstrated effective chemical purification of recovered silicon, removing metallic and non-metallic impurities. These results contribute to developing secondary silicon suitable for integration into new photovoltaic cells.
Together, these outcomes demonstrate APOLLO’s commitment to practical, science-driven innovation that brings the solar industry closer to full circularity.
