Recycling and Reuse potential of NICE PV-Modules

In difference to laminated state-of-the-art PV modules, major components of Apollon Solar's proprietary NICE (`New Industrial Cell Encapsulation') modules are not physically attached to each other due to the absence of soldering and lamination. This allows for an efficient and low-cost disassembly of end of life NICE modules into their original components, such as glasses, copper connectors, solar cells. The fact that these components can be recovered as entire pieces opens up a more sustainable and high value recycling and reuse potential, in terms of waste management towards a circular economy. This work reports results from feasibility studies on the disassembly of NICE modules and recycling/reuse of their components, carried out in the frame of the European H2020FOF-13-2015 `ECOSOLAR' project.