TNO Develops Laser Tech for Solar Panel Recycling

Researchers at TNO in the Netherlands are developing a laser technology to efficiently recycle solar panels. The team addresses the growing issue of end-of-life panels and the need to recover valuable materials.

Roughly 24% of globally mined silver now goes into solar panel production. This new method aims to recover up to 99% of that silver, using significantly less energy than current techniques.

Traditional solar panel recycling often involves energy-intensive processes like grinding or heating, which damage materials and hinder recovery. TNO’s laser technology uses focused light to weaken the adhesives holding panel components together, allowing for cleaner separation of materials like glass, silicon, and silver. The process currently requires less than 1 kWh of energy per module.

The research, ongoing for three years, has moved beyond the laboratory phase and is now being tested in conditions relevant to industrial recycling. While the technology shows promise, integrating it into full recycling chains and determining economic viability remain key challenges. TNO is collaborating with industry partners to address these hurdles and scale up the process.