Panel Recycling and Integrated Solar Material

Project Information

PRISM

Grant agreement ID: 101145463

DOI

10.3030/101145463

Project closed

EC signature date 5 March 2024

Start date 1 April 2024

End date 31 March 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 978 538,58

EU contribution

€ 2 084 977,00

Coordinated by

SOLAR MATERIALS GMBH
Germany

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PRISM (Panel Recycling and Integrated Solar Material)

Reporting period: 2024-04-01 to 2024-12-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The PRISM project aims to address the growing problem of photovoltaic (PV) waste through an innovative, high-efficiency recycling process. With global installed PV capacity expected to reach 4,500 GW by 2050, the volume of decommissioned panels is set to grow significantly, leading to a pressing need for advanced recycling technologies.
Current PV recycling methods are inefficient, focusing mainly on bulk material recovery, while valuable components such as silver, copper, and silicon are often lost or incinerated. SOLAR MATERIALS has developed a patented layer-by-layer thermo-mechanical recycling process that enables the cost-effective and energy-efficient recovery of over 95% of materials from end-of-life PV panels.
With the advanced pilot and first commercial recycling plant, SOLAR MATERIALS provides a cost-effective solution for owners of solar parks including private households to recycle solar panels combining ecology and economy. The process results are the lowest recycling fee in the industry with precious and critical raw materials being sold to local industries.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

The PRISM project has successfully advanced photovoltaic (PV) panel recycling from pilot-scale validation to industrial readiness. Initial tests on a fully automated pilot line for whole solar panels confirmed the effectiveness of the innovative delamination process, enabling efficient separation of valuable raw materials like silver, silicon, and high-purity glass.
Building on this success, the process was refined to enhance temperature control, bus bar removal, and silicon separation, improving material recovery quality. A large-scale recycling campaign further validated the system’s high throughput and economic viability, achieving over 95% material recovery, including silver and silicon.
Now transitioning to industrial-scale implementation, the first commercial recycling plant is being established, operating at one minute per panel. An AI-driven optimization system has been integrated to fine-tune efficiency.
With a cost-effective, scalable, and energy-efficient process, the project is setting new standards for PV recycling, driving the transition toward a circular solar economy.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The PRISM project introduces the first fully automated and scalable PV panel recycling process, surpassing conventional methods that recover only bulk materials like glass and aluminum. The patented thermo-mechanical delamination technology enables the cost-effective recovery of silver and silicon, materials previously lost in standard recycling processes.
Unlike chemical and pyrolysis-based methods, this approach avoids toxic emissions and hazardous chemicals, reducing both operational costs and environmental impact. Additionally, an AI-driven optimization system enhances process efficiency by linking material data with real-time adjustments, ensuring maximum material recovery.
With significantly lower recycling fees (50% cheaper than competitors) and a high-value output stream, this technology is a game-changer in PV recycling. It not only meets but exceeds EU regulatory targets, positioning itself as the leading solution for a truly circular solar economy.