Zurich/Bern – SENS eRecycling and Swissolar are expanding their take-back system for solar modules. In the future, modules that are still efficient are to be put back on the market as second-hand goods. The Bern University of Applied Sciences is also involved in the development of the test procedure.
SENS eRecycling and Swissolar are expanding their take-back system for discarded or damaged photovoltaic modules, which was already introduced in 2013. The returned solar modules are now to be checked for their remaining performance and, if necessary, reused as second-hand modules, explains SENS eRecycling in a statement. Such secondary use could significantly reduce the expected future amount of waste, writes the Foundation for Electrical and Electronic Recycling.
SENS eRecycling assumes that by 2030, around 17,000 tons of discarded or defective photovoltaic modules will already be recycled. However, about half of the discarded modules could be considered for secondary use, the foundation says. It is based on information gathered by experts from the Bern University of Applied Sciences.
SENS eRecycling and Swissolar are also working with the Bern University of Applied Sciences on the development of the test procedure that can be used to identify modules that are suitable for secondary use. Its core element is to be a digital passport that determines data on production, any repairs and remaining efficiency even before the solar module is dismantled. Modules that can still be used are given a corresponding label and are put on the market for second-hand goods. As before, modules that are no longer usable are sent for recycling, where their components such as glass, iron, aluminum and copper are reprocessed. ce/hs
