PV recycling | Faculty of Chemistry at the Gdańsk University of Technology

Gdańsk University of Technology has concluded a license agreement with a company that intends to implement the developed technology of recycling silicon photovoltaic cells. The subject of the license is the technology included in the invention "Device for the recovery of silicon materials from photovoltaic cells" developed at the Faculty of Chemistry of the Gdańsk University of Technology, protected by a patent no. PAT. 215770, whose authors are: Ewa Klugmann-Radziemska, Piotr Ostrowski and Franciszek Kozera.

The license granted is an exclusive license, and its scope covers the production, use, offering and marketing of products made according to the invention or with the use of the invention.

The significant share of photovoltaic systems in generating electricity around the world brings undoubted benefits to the natural environment, as these systems do not generate noise or emit harmful substances or greenhouse gases.

However, in order for them to have no negative impact on the environment, it is necessary to implement a long-term strategy covering the complete "life cycle" of all system components: from the production phase, through assembly and operation to disposal. Recycling of production waste and used systems is an essential part of this strategy. The environmental benefits of recycling are related not only to the reduction of space in landfills, but above all to the saving of energy, raw materials and emissions.

The patented technology allows for the recovery of pure (photovoltaic grade) silicon, which, used in the production of new photovoltaic cells, allows for a significant reduction in electricity consumption, which is the largest environmental burden in the production process of photovoltaic modules.