27/02/2026
Early in the SOLMATE project, the teams working on the supply, testing and qualification of PV panels raised a recurring problem: finding sufficient second-life panels for all three demonstrators would be difficult. The problem was not only locating used panels but finding those that could pass a set of safety and performance tests needed for second-life use.
Two years in, we have seen this pattern repeat. Numerous batches of dismantled panels were sent straight to recycling operations after the visual inspection, without considering the reusing option. It became clear that we needed to make the problem visible, especially when committing to moving up the waste hierarchy and keeping materials is use for longer.
The response from our consortium partners, including producer responsibility organisations, accredited end‑of‑life PV handlers, testing labs, certification bodies and RTOs, was to prepare a set of recommendations compiled in a guideline on how to safely disassemble, pack and transport PV modules for second-life use.
