TrinaSolar’s eco-friendly breakthrough: Produces world’s first c-Si solar module with recycled aluminium frames

TrinaSolar, a global leader in photovoltaic and energy storage solutions, has announced the successful production of the world’s first fully recycled crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar module. This milestone resulted from collaboration with upstream and downstream partners, which has successfully produced the world’s first recycled photovoltaic (PV) module.

About the milestone

This breakthrough was achieved by the Research Centre Academy of TrinaSolar, utilising their innovative in-house recycling technology. The module is made from recovered materials such as aluminium frames, silicon, silver and glass sourced from waste modules. This accomplishment reinforces TrinaSolar’s leadership in sustainability and marks a significant advancement for the solar industry.

Through this process, TrinaSolar achieved full-component recycling of high-value materials from waste PV panels. The breakthrough was made possible by various innovative techniques, including proprietary interlayer separation reagents, chemical etching, and wet chemical silver extraction technologies. The recycled PV module features n-type TOPCon technology with a golden-size design, delivering an impressive module efficiency of 20.7 per cent and a power output exceeding 645 W.

TrinaSolar’s leadership in sustainability

Gao Jifan, Chairman and CEO of TrinaSolar, as well as Director of the Central R&D Institute, emphasised that the production of the world’s first fully recycled crystalline silicon (c-Si) module reflects the company’s unwavering commitment to sustainable development within the photovoltaic (PV) industry and its role in advancing the global energy transition.

TrinaSolar is dedicated to creating cutting-edge technological solutions for recovering and recycling waste PV modules, exceeding international standards such as the European Union’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. The company has also applied for 37 patents related to module recycling technologies.

TrinaSolar is equally dedicated to minimising the environmental impact of its manufacturing processes. As a member of PV Cycle since 2010, the company has established a range of compliant disposal methods for end-of-life photovoltaic (PV) modules to mitigate environmental pollution. Its advancements in module recycling technology offer a vital solution for the mass decommissioning of PV modules and serve as a model for what can be achieved within the PV industry.