Here retrieval of critical materials from solar photovoltaics is investigated based on circular economy. Our scope is to go beyond recovering materials at elemental level, to alternative processing strategies, such as reviving products or reusing components to reach higher value with decreased processing energy. The proposed ECOSOL project aims 1) to bring insight into how materials selection affects recycling and to steer materials research,and 2) to develop ecodesigned solar panel structures, particularly for an urban environment, to allow commercially viable reuse/recycling at the end of life.Besides meeting the circular economy principles, solar technologies need to be efficient, durable, and visually appropriate to be commercially successful and to have a major societal impact. ECOSOL brings together solar energy engineering, circular economy expertise, and architectural knowledge to develop new insight and design sustainable solar energy technologies.

2022

2025