Researchers Develop Fully Repairable Solar Module To Reduce Electronic Waste
The FAIR-PV project introduces a modular solar design that replaces traditional lamination with a liquid encapsulation layer to improve recyclability.
A collaborative effort involving Delft University of Technology, AMS Institute, Biosphere Solar, and Circularise has produced the FAIR-PV module, a solar panel designed to be fully repairable and refurbishable. By addressing common design flaws that lead to solar panels being discarded as electronic waste, the project aims to establish a circular model for solar energy production.
The new technology replaces the standard Ethylene Vinyl Acetate lamination process, which typically bonds materials in a way that makes them inseparable at the end of their lifespan. Instead, the team uses a liquid encapsulation layer. According to Urvashi Bothra, a postdoctoral researcher at the university's Photovoltaic Materials and Devices group, this design allows for the retrieval and recycling of all components. The latest prototype has demonstrated the ability to generate 30 Watts more power than previous non-liquid designs.
The modules are currently undergoing real-world testing on the roof of the Innovation Pavilion at Marineterrein Amsterdam. This installation allows for direct performance comparisons with conventional panels. Each module is equipped with a digital product passport developed by Circularise, which tracks material composition, manufacturing history, and maintenance data. This digital layer is intended to help stakeholders determine whether a panel should be repaired, refurbished, or recycled.
Biosphere Solar, an open-source company, designed the module to be replicable by other manufacturers and compatible with existing production lines. Zola Fung-A-Jou, an R&D production engineer at the company, noted that the project is a step toward creating a circular solar factory line that reduces both material costs and energy consumption.
The FAIR-PV project is supported by the Dutch government's Knowledge and Innovation Agenda for Circular Economy and involves several partners, including the Municipality of Amsterdam and the Province of South Holland. The initiative is scheduled to continue through mid-2026.
