Solar Panels Recycled into New Windows

Sunita Somvanshi

Maltha Glass Recycling and glass maker Saint-Gobain have successfully converted 75 tons of solar panel glass into flat glass.

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The company has successfully used recycled glass to make new flat glass products that meet its quality standards

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These will then be used in windows, doors, and building materials, creating a continuous cycle of reuse that benefits both industry and the environment.

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The need is clear since by 2030, millions of solar panels across Europe will reach the end of their working life.

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Manufacturers need less energy to make new glass products by reusing materials from old solar panels lowering their costs and environmental disruptions.

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The recycling process starts with robots taking apart the solar panels of valuable materials - glass, silicon and silver.

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The project is part of a larger European effort of 13 bodies called Photorama, which brings together a complete system for recycling old solar panels.

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The timing is crucial. "This successful pilot demonstrates the incredible potential of solar panel recycling," says Kevin Bell, Managing Director of Maltha Group.

Photo Source: Tiia Monto (CC BY-SA 4.0)