EVERPV was represented at EU PVSEC 2026 in Rotterdam, where project partner CEA presented new results on reusing materials recovered from end-of-life PV modules.
On 17 September, Fabrice Coustier from CEA presented the poster “Closing the Loop of Module Recycling, Integration of Recovered Glass and Backsheet into new Modules”. The work examined how materials recovered from end-of-life PV modules can be reused in new module manufacturing.
From recovered materials to new PV modules
As PV waste volumes increase, new recycling technologies are being developed to separate and recover materials such as glass, metals, silicon, and polymers. For a fully circular approach, these recovered materials also need to be suitable for use in new products.
Within EVERPV, CEA produced mini-modules using recovered front glass and backsheet foils. These were compared with reference modules manufactured using virgin materials.
The mini-modules contained six half-cut M6 PERC cells and were characterised before undergoing durability testing. Depending on the recycled material incorporated, the modules underwent damp heat (DH) or UV testing.
This work assesses the potential to reintegrate materials recovered through PV recycling into new solar modules.
Building on EVERPV’s recycling work
The research builds on EVERPV’s earlier work on module delamination and material purification. At EU PVSEC 2025, EVERPV presented its sanding-based delamination method. This year, the focus moved to the next stage: testing how recovered glass and backsheet materials can be reintegrated into new modules.
By linking material recovery with reuse in module manufacturing, the work supports EVERPV’s wider goal of developing more circular pathways for end-of-life PV materials.
It is great to see EVERPV’s work continuing to reach the wider solar community and to see project partners sharing these results at EU PVSEC. Thank you to CEA for presenting the work and helping bring the project’s progress on PV recycling and circularity to the conference.
