Solar & Photovoltaic (PV) panels recycling plant

The recycling line for solar and photovoltaic modules enables the recovery and reuse of materials from end-of-life solar panels, such as silicon, glass, wiring, plastic, and aluminum.

Thanks to an advanced industrial process, the system efficiently recovers the components of photovoltaic panels. Each module can be broken down into reusable resources: approximately 15 kg of glass, 1 kg of silicon powder for the steel industry, 3.5 kg of aluminum, 300 g of plastic, and copper wiring. The fully automated process employs delamination technologies to separate components precisely, eliminating the need for manual intervention.

The SOLAR product line by Stokkermill aims to enhance the quality of recovered materials—accounting for up to 99% of the total panel weight—while drastically reducing manual operations and energy costs. Notably, energy consumption per module never exceeds 1 kWh, ensuring high efficiency with minimal environmental impact.

This result stems from years of research and development and continuous technological updates, enabling the treatment of polycrystalline, monocrystalline, and even non-standard-sized panels. Furthermore, the system eliminates the need for costly manual removal of aluminum frames, ensuring higher productivity and reduced operational costs.

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Recoverable Materials from Solar and Photovoltaic Modules

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Aluminum: Recovered as Proler, a material ready for industrial furnaces. It requires no additional processing, reducing treatment costs and enhancing the economic efficiency of the process.

Glass: Separated through advanced sieving and classification technologies, ensuring high purity standards. Recovered glass can be directed to the glass, ceramics, or steel industries and is categorized into three main fractions: >5 mm, an intermediate fraction, and a final fraction <1 mm. Additional particles <0.5 mm contain silicon.

Silicon: Used primarily in the steel and metallurgical industries (special steels and aluminum alloys), offering significant economic returns.

EVA and PVC Sheets: Materials separated and used as alternative fuels due to their high calorific value.

Copper: Recoverable from panels with electrical junction boxes.

Other Fractions: May include metallic powders, with composition varying based on the specific panel type.

Energy Efficiency and Reduced Emissions - Less than 1 kWh per module

An essential aspect of the recycling process is energy consumption. Often overlooked, it is a critical factor in determining the overall energy balance and environmental impact of a product from production to end-of-life. Complex and energy-intensive processes can negate the ecological and economic benefits of recycling.

Stokkermill has developed solutions to reduce energy costs to less than 1 kWh per module, equivalent to approximately €0.15 ($0.20 USD) per unit, based on average EU/US tariffs. This achievement is made possible by high-efficiency machinery and meticulous system design, maximizing performance while minimizing consumption.

Atmospheric emissions are limited to the recovery of process dust, preventing dispersion into the environment and simplifying authorization procedures, which can be challenging for innovative technologies.

Flexibility and Customization

The flexibility of Stokkermill systems allows for tailored solutions to meet the specific needs of end-users in terms of productivity and the types of materials to be processed. With targeted adjustments, the SOLAR range can be configured to handle not only photovoltaic panels but also electronic materials, aluminum profiles, and lightweight scrap.

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