The green manufacturing journey is circular. Proper recycling is as important as zero waste production. Even though PV modules have relatively long lifetime of approximately 30 years, they still eventually degrade, as all other technologies, to the point where they enter their end-of-life stage and eventually must be replaced.
Presently, a significant challenge lies in the lack of information exchange between solar module manufacturers and recyclers. Recyclers remain uninformed about the materials' composition, production details, and recyclability. Consequently, a staggering 90% of unused or faulty solar panels find their way into landfills.
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Being fully committed to the net-zero manufacturing, SoliTek is also devoted to developing good-case practices of managing the recycling of their PV modules.
Also testing of PV modules on recylability
Cooperation with Lux Chemtech also involves testing PV modules on recyclability whenever new changes are made to PV modules, be it materials, design, or any other smaller or bigger adjustments. Solitek is responsible for sharing full material content data and for informing the recycler on changes made in PV module design or materials. As manufacturer, SoliTek will be sharing their sales volumes, allowing Lux Chemtech to forecast expected PV waste more accurately.
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Proper waste management is also important for the clients: they are being provided with all the necessary after-sale support on repair, reuse, and recycling of the PV modules. SoliTek clients will have an option for their waste to be processed using the innovative Lux Chemtech recycling technologies.
Cradle to Cradle Gold certification
Solitek participated already in various EU Horizon projects on PV modules recyclability. With this co-operation agreement with Lux Chemtech, Solitek is contributing beyond the minimal requirements set by the EU Commission for the PV modules recycling. In 2023 Solitek obtained Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Gold certification, which demonstrates their long-term commitment to circular economy principles and responsible material usage. (hcn)
