Summary:
9Tech has developed a revolutionary method to recycle solar panels, recovering up to 99% of components without releasing harmful byproducts.
Traditional recycling methods often involve burning adhesives, releasing harmful gases. 9Tech's innovative approach uses a combustion furnace to vaporize adhesives and capture fumes.
The process allows for the recovery of valuable materials like silver and copper, making recycled panels "a small mine of precious elements."
While currently more expensive than traditional methods, the recovered materials can offset costs and contribute to building new solar panels.
9Tech's success highlights the potential for sustainable solar panel recycling, with plans to expand operations and process up to 800 modules daily.
Startup Revolutionizes Solar Panel Recycling: 99% Recovery, Zero Waste!
As solar energy gains popularity, recycling used panels becomes crucial. Italy-based startup 9Tech offers a groundbreaking solution: recovering up to 99% of panel components without releasing harmful byproducts.
The Problem with Traditional Recycling
Current methods often involve burning adhesives, releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere. 9Tech's innovative approach utilizes a combustion furnace that heats components to over 750 degrees Fahrenheit, vaporizing the adhesive and capturing the fumes. This allows for the recovery of valuable materials like silver and copper while minimizing environmental impact.
A Sustainable Solution
Francesco Miserocchi, 9Tech's CTO, emphasizes the value of recycled solar panels, calling them "a small mine of precious elements." The company's process is currently more expensive than traditional recycling, but the recovered materials can offset these costs and be used to build new solar panels.
A Promising Future for Solar Energy
9Tech's success highlights the potential for sustainable solar panel recycling. The company plans to build a larger facility capable of processing up to 800 modules daily, further demonstrating its commitment to a greener future. Other initiatives are also underway, including a salt-molten method in China and a large-scale recycling plant in Tennessee. These efforts contribute to making solar energy more affordable and accessible globally.
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