Securing PV waste streams for recycling research

Reliable access to end-of-life PV modules is a prerequisite for meaningful recycling research. In the APOLLO project, this foundational step has been addressed through the public deliverable D1.2 – Waste PV source secured, prepared by the APOLLO project coordinator, Fraunhofer CSP.

The deliverable confirms that sufficient quantities of end-of-life photovoltaic modules and shredded PV material have been secured to support the planned experimental work within the project. At the start of investigations, 40 intact PV modules and 500 kg of shredded material were made available at Fraunhofer CSP for recycling studies.

Additional PV waste streams can be supplied upon request by the associated partner Reiling GmbH, including both complete and shredded modules. Further modules from Kalyon PV are also foreseen to support investigations into recyclability across different module types.

Beyond material availability, the deliverable documents the systematic collection of detailed module data, including parameters related to module structure, cells, glass, and polymers. This dataset forms an essential input for subsequent work on PV waste characterisation, processing, and material recovery within APOLLO.

By securing both material streams and high-quality reference data, D1.2 establishes the practical basis for APOLLO’s experimental and pilot-scale recycling activities.