Elecsome Secures Patent For Solar Panel Recycling Technology

Australia-based solar panel recycling company Elecsome has received a patent grant for its technology to upcycle end-of-life solar panels and use PV glass in the construction industry. 

The patent is related to its method to separate fluoropolymer layers from a substrate by using an ionic liquid comprising an organic acid and an organic base. When in contact with the substrate, it can dissolve at least one layer from the fluoropolymer.    

Another method relates to producing glass fines from PV glass by milling it wherein at least half the glass fines have a particle size of less than 83 µm. This makes it a good fit for building materials.  

The Australian Commissioner of Patents has granted the company the Certificate of Grant for Patent Number 2023229502 for 20 years from September 12, 2023, announced Elecsome in a LinkedIn post. The company thanked its research partners, the University of Melbourne and RMIT University for this feat.   

Ojas Group backed Elecsome launched its PV upcycling facility in Victoria in 2023. In June 2024, Elecsome entered a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AGL Energy to explore adding a solar panel recycling plant at AGL’s Hunter Energy Hub Bayswater e-Recycling Precinct in New South Wales (NSW). To be developed in 2 phases, the duo will explore extracting high value materials from panels for re-use in PV and other electrical appliances (see AGL Energy & Elecsome Sign Solar Recycling Partnership).  

Solar waste in Australia is projected to grow to 1.16 million tonnes by 2035. The volumes are likely to exceed 50,000 tonnes on an annual basis by 2025, potentially reaching up to 100,000 tonnes/year from 2030 to 2035, equivalent to 1.2 GW solar capacity, according to a University of New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics study.   

While the recycling and upcycling technology exists, Australia is working towards handling the logistics part of managing this growing solar waste. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) is set to implement the redesigned National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme to include solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.  

Solar manufacturers, importers and all stakeholders in the solar panel supply chain will be required to take responsibility for the end-of-life management of panels to reduce landfill waste and promote recycling. It will come into force by the end of 2025, according to the Australian Energy Council.