SOLARCYCLE, a technology-based solar panel recycler, has announced a breakthrough in solar circularity with the successful creation of a proof-of-concept solar panel made with 50% recycled glass from end-of-life panels.
The demonstration, conducted in partnership with Arizona State University’s (ASU) Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, found that panels made from recycled glass performed just as well as those made from new materials. This marks a critical step toward a closed-loop solar manufacturing process.
ASU researchers, led by Zachary Holman, fabricated mini-modules using both commercial virgin glass and a 50/50 blend of virgin materials and recycled glass cullet processed by SOLARCYCLE’s technology. Industry-standard tests showed no significant performance differences between the two sets of panels, proving the viability of using recycled glass.
This research supports SOLARCYCLE’s broader mission to close the loop on solar panel manufacturing, reduce waste, and strengthen the domestic solar supply chain. The company plans to build a solar glass factory next to its recycling facility in Cedartown, Georgia, where it will be the first in the world to use recycled cullet as a key input.
KEY QUOTES:
“This is exactly the kind of result we hope for when industry and academia collaborate. Together, we proved that you don’t have to sacrifice performance to build solar panels more sustainably. It’s not just a lab success—it’s a path forward for the industry.”
Dr. Holman
“By proving we can manufacture new solar panels using recycled materials that produce at peak performance levels, we’re taking a major step toward making the solar industry more sustainable, scalable, and self-reliant. Pushing the envelope in innovation is core to our mission, and this achievement shows why.”
Pablo Dias, Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder at SOLARCYCLE
