News Summary
SolarCycle has made a breakthrough in solar technology with a new solar panel made from 50% recycled glass sourced from end-of-life panels. Collaborating with Arizona State University, the research demonstrated that these panels perform equally to those made with virgin materials. SolarCycle is also establishing a first-of-its-kind solar glass factory in Cedartown, Georgia, aimed at recycling and manufacturing, which is set to create over 1,250 jobs and contribute significantly to local economic growth.
Cedartown, Georgia – SolarCycle has achieved a significant milestone in sustainable solar technology by developing a groundbreaking proof-of-concept solar panel that incorporates 50% recycled glass derived from end-of-life solar panels. This innovative project, conducted in collaboration with Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, represents a vital step toward circularity in solar manufacturing.
The initiative, spearheaded by Zachary Holman, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation at ASU, has shown promising results that match the performance of traditional solar panels made with virgin materials. The research team, led by ASU researcher Kate Fisher, created baseline mini modules using conventional solar glass, alongside test modules utilizing a blend of virgin and recycled glass cullet.
The testing process involved industry-standard power-conversion efficiency evaluations, which confirmed that there were no statistically significant performance differences between the modules made with traditional and recycled materials. These findings highlight the potential for manufacturing solar panels in a more sustainable manner without compromising on functionality.
SolarCycle’s demonstration panel aligns with the company’s broader mission to minimize waste and enhance the sustainability of solar panel production. To further this goal, the company plans to establish a solar glass factory adjacent to its new recycling facility in Cedartown, Georgia. This facility, touted as the first of its kind, will utilize recycled cullet as a primary input in its operations.
Factory Plans and Capacity
The Cedartown facility is expected to initially process two million solar panels annually, with plans to ramp up to ten million by 2030. This operation aims to manage over 25% of the retired solar panels in the United States. The new factory will focus on producing specialized glass for crystalline-silicon (c-Si) photovoltaics, with an annual capacity estimated at 5-6 gigawatts.
Additionally, materials recovered from the recycling processes will be used to manufacture new solar glass for distribution to American solar manufacturers. The creation of this facility is a major step toward ensuring self-reliance and sustainability within the solar industry, revolutionizing how solar panels are produced and recycled.
Innovation and Workforce Development
SolarCycle’s chief technology officer and co-founder emphasized the critical role of innovation in achieving long-term sustainability in solar energy. The company boasts a dedicated team of over 30 engineers and scientists, located across various countries, who are focused on advancing research in solar panel recycling. Collaborations with esteemed institutions like ASU are instrumental in enhancing workforce skills and research capabilities in this emerging field.
The recycling facility is set to deploy a next-generation recycling process capable of recovering up to 99% of photovoltaic materials, optimized specifically for bifacial c-Si panels. This innovative closed-loop process offers improved flexibility and scalability compared to previous solutions while achieving high mass recovery rates and significant value from recycled materials.
Job Creation and Economic Impact
As the projects in Cedartown unfold, SolarCycle is anticipated to create over 1,250 full-time positions across both the recycling facility and solar glass factory once fully operational. Additionally, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has lauded SolarCycle’s efforts for contributing to local economic growth and creating job opportunities in the northwest region of the state.
Currently, SolarCycle manages the recycling of solar panels from more than 70 of the largest energy companies in the United States. This endeavor not only supports the company’s sustainability goals but also reinforces the structure of the domestic solar supply chain, further establishing SolarCycle as a leader in solar recycling and manufacturing.
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Additional Resources
- New York Times: Republicans Push for Clean Energy Credits in Georgia
- US Glass: SolarCycle to Recycle Up to 10 Million Solar Panels Annually
- EcoWatch: SolarCycle’s Solar Panel Recycling Initiative in Georgia
- Google Search: Solar Panel Recycling Georgia
- Wikipedia: Solar Energy
