The Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP combines the expertise of two Fraunhofer institutes: the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS contributes its expertise in the optimization and evaluation of silicon process technologies and module integration. As the largest solar research institute in Europe, Fraunhofer ISE contributes its expertise in solar cell and module development, in characterization and in the field of recycling.
PV modules are classified as electronic waste according to the “Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment” guideline (WEEE guideline 2012/19 / EU). They must therefore be recycled (collection rate 85%, recovery rate 80%). In Germany, more than 60 GWp of PV capacity are currently installed. This corresponds to a volume of over 5 million tons of solar modules. These modules contain a variety of valuable materials that can be recovered. The PV modules currently installed in Germany contain a total of over 3.5 million tons of highly transparent, low-iron flat glass, 600,000 tons of aluminum (from the frames), 150,000 tons of silicon, 25,000 tons of copper and 1,800 tons of silver. The total value of the raw materials contained is over €4 billion. At the Fraunhofer CSP, we have developed recycling processes for the recovery of all inorganic components of solar modules. From the recovered silicon, new crystals can be produced from 100% recycled silicon, processed into wafers and then processed into new PERC solar cells. By recovering these materials, we are helping to improve the sustainability of solar power generation and to secure the supply of raw materials. At the Fraunhofer CSP, we have a wide range of analytical equipment to determine the purity of the recovered secondary raw materials.