Slovakia proposes reverse‑disassembly method for solar‑panel recycling

Slovak researchers at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava have suggested a new recycling process for end‑of‑life photovoltaic panels. The method dismantles panels in the opposite order of their manufacture – first removing the aluminium frame, then the electrical box, followed by the glass, and finally the protective foil that encloses the silicon cells.

Current recycling in Europe is costly, with disposal expenses ranging from 150 to over 400 zł per panel, and most of a panel’s mass consists of low‑value glass and aluminium. New EU regulations require recovery of 80‑98 % of panel mass, prompting Slovakia to seek a more economical solution ahead of Poland’s deadline. The proposed reverse‑disassembly aims to lower processing costs and improve material recovery rates.

If adopted, the approach could help Slovakia meet EU recycling targets and set a precedent for other countries facing the growing waste stream from solar installations installed between 2008 and 2011.