Project description
Shining a light on Europe’s photovoltaic panel recycling
As Europe’s reliance on photovoltaic (PV) panels grows, so does the concern over their end-of-life management. Currently, these panels often end up in landfills, posing environmental hazards due to their complex composition. This unsustainable disposal method exacerbates resource depletion and pollution. In this context, the EU-funded FORESi project aims to revolutionise the recycling process of PV panels. It will demonstrate the feasibility of a circular recycling process, transforming retired panels into new photovoltaics and applications for electric vehicle batteries. By showcasing technical, economic and environmental viability, FORESi paves the way for mass production of recycled silicon. Additionally, the project will develop an integrated platform for panel recovery and a methodology for reusing and repairing PV panels.
Objective
The project FORESi aims at FOstering a Recycled European Silicon supply. through the first worldwide industrial demonstration of a cradle-to-cradle Silicon value chain. To contribute to a sustainable energy sovereignty for Europe, FORESi will demonstrate a circular recycling process from end-of-life PV panels towards new photovoltaics and EV batteries applications. The project will demonstrate the technical, economic and environmental viability of the entire recycling process, and deliver the design of an optimised recycling turnkey factory of end-of-life PV panels, paving the way for a European industrial mass production of recycled Silicon.
FORESi will also develop an online integrated platform for recovery of PV panels, and deliver a PV Testing Methodology to Reuse and Repair EoL PV modules.
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-IA - HORIZON Innovation ActionsCoordinator
2016 FROGS
Norway
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.