PV Recycling

German photovoltaic specialist IBC SOLAR joins the European organization "PV CYCLE Association" to support PV module recycling. To date, more than 70 companies are taking part in the international initiative to establish a comprehensive network of solar module collection points by 2015. 

PV modules are constructed with materials that could be reused for new solar modules or new products. Through recycling, the valuable materials, like glass, aluminium and silicon materials can be preserved, leading to less waste and less energy used in module production. Both of these contribute to a positive environmental balance. This decreases not only the carbon dioxide emissions, but the overall costs as well. Thus, the modules generate not only renewable energy, but are also sustainable resources after they have reached the end of their life cycle.    

PV CYCLE is currently setting up collection points all over Europe, where installers and citizens can deliver their worn-out modules. IBC SOLAR not only takes part in sharing the costs of the current collection points, but starting January 1, 2011, will provide the opportunity to drop off their end-of-life modules at the IBC SOLAR warehouse in Bavaria. There the modules are separated into crystalline and thin-film modules and taken to a PV CYCLE recycling center. The modules are sorted by their product number and manufacturer and then weighed. The modules are disassembled into their main components and recycled. Disposal is free of charge for installers and module owners. The recycling system is financed by the member companies. In addition to yearly dues, set by each company's individual profits, the members pay a fee, determined by the weight of the recycled modules.  

"The participation in PV CYCLE is an important step forward for IBC SOLAR towards being an even more sustainable and economical company," explains Marco Siller, head of Product Management for IBC SOLAR. "Starting in 2015, the modules built in 1990 will start to reach the end of their life cycle. By then, we want to set up a functioning pan-European recycling program with PV CYCLE that makes it possible to easily take back and recycle end-of-life modules. With this, we can make the next generation of solar energy even more environmentally friendly".