Project description
Sustainable solutions for solar panel waste
Discarded solar panels, a growing environmental threat, endanger ecosystems with hazardous materials. The surge in renewable energy demand amplifies the crisis of end-of-life photovoltaic (EOL-PV) waste. The lack of a standardised recycling method compounds the issue, raising environmental concerns. In this context, the EU-funded QUASAR project aims to revolutionise the solar industry with an all-encompassing solution for EOL-PV module management. The project includes a digital product passport via smart sensor tags, enabling informed EOL decision-making. QUASAR introduces non-destructive testing and repair technologies, targeting a 70 to 90 % recycling rate for silicon, metals, glass, and polymers. By 2050, it promises substantial CO2 savings and unlocks vast volumes of secondary raw materials.
Objective
QUASAR will develop and implement solutions for a systematic collection and management methodology and decision tools for EOL-PV-modules based on a holistic approach between all parts and actors across the EOL supply chain including concepts of reverse logistic technologies, AI/machine learning, product lifecycle information management (PLIM) based on digital twins, and best practices for sorting, warehouse operations, testing and repair/reuse.
EOL decision-making will be supported through the delivery of a digital product passport thanks to smart sensor tags as well as rapid, non-destructive testing methods for assessing EOL-PV condition for reuse/repair/recycling in the field and at waste treatment facilities. Repair technology solutions will be provided, along with guidelines for second-life warranty, quality thresholds, product reliability, labelling and tracking.
QUASAR will upscale and demonstrate two emerging recycling technologies based on delamination by controlled thermal and chemical treatment [pilot A] and waterjet delamination [pilot B], targeting EOL-PV recycling rates of 70-90% for silicon, metals, glass and polymers with high purity for reuse in the PV industry, as well as semi-conductor industry, speciality chemicals, float glass, or other products.
Material closed-loop systems will be implemented to enable a circular economy for the PV industry. By 2050, from the upscaling and worldwide deployment of both recycling technologies, substantial volumes of secondary raw materials will be unlocked: 220,000 tons of silicon, 5,200 tons of silver, 62,000 tons of copper and 4,700,000 tons of glass, accompanied with 421 million tons of CO2 savings. To achieve its specific objectives, QUASAR gathers a multidisciplinary consortium involving commercial actors from across the entire EOL supply chain: PV module manufacturers, utility scale PV system operators, collectors, recyclers, and end users of recycled secondary raw materials.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringwaste managementwaste treatment processesrecycling
- natural scienceschemical sciencesinorganic chemistrytransition metals
- natural scienceschemical sciencespolymer sciences
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringsensorssmart sensors
- engineering and technologymaterials engineering
- natural sciencesphysical scienceselectromagnetism and electronicssemiconductivity
- medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologytissue engineeringartificial pancreascontinuous glucose monitors
- social scienceseconomics and businesseconomicssustainable economy
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencesartificial intelligencemachine learning
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energysolar energyphotovoltaic
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
7034 Trondheim
Norway
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Participants (15)
0277 OSLO
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Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
8001 WESTERN CAPE
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4035 Stavanger
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22113 Hamburg
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
75002 Paris
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
38000 Grenoble
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
Legal entity other than a subcontractor which is affiliated or legally linked to a participant. The entity carries out work under the conditions laid down in the Grant Agreement, supplies goods or provides services for the action, but did not sign the Grant Agreement. A third party abides by the rules applicable to its related participant under the Grant Agreement with regard to eligibility of costs and control of expenditure.
38000 Grenoble
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
09599 Freiberg
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
4621 Kristiansand
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LT-08412 VILNIUS
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
77652 Offenburg
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86167 Augsburg
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D01 C4E0 Dublin
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91120 Palaiseau
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0160 OSLO
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Partners (4)
7180 Seneffe
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28003 Madrid
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94304 1395 Palo Alto
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TS90 8JF Middlesbrough
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