Italy’s Ecoprogetti has developed an automated photovoltaic (PV) recycling line capable of separating and recovering up to 100% of aluminum, copper, glass, plastic, and silicon from solar panels. Processing up to 60 panels per hour, the system consumes 40% less energy than other market solutions, combining efficiency with sustainability.
As an Italian provider of solar production equipment, Ecoprogetti designed the automatic recycling system to meet growing demands for end-of-life PV management. “Our goal was to create truly industrial recycling plants that operate continuously, reliably, and with high productivity,” a company spokesperson told pv magazine. Since 2024, Ecoprogetti has shipped over one system monthly, with active installations in Italy, Spain, Greece, and other Southern European countries.
The plant is optimized for recycling both double-glass and glass-backsheet panels. Its flexibility and scalability stem from an adjustable system that accommodates different panel sizes and a barcode traceability feature for material tracking.
The recycling line comprises seven integrated machines:
- Junction Box Removal: The first machine detaches junction boxes from panels.
- Frame Extraction: The second removes aluminum frames.
- Front Glass Separation: The third machine dislodges the primary front glass layer from the laminate.
4-6. Material Separation & Collection: Subsequent machines handle metal separation, followed by division and collection of aluminum, copper, glass, plastic, and silicon. Ecoprogetti reports a recovery rate of 100% for aluminum, 99% for copper and glass, 98.5% for plastic, and 95% for silicon. - Dust Filtration: The final machine removes fine particles and captures residual dust via high-efficiency filters, ensuring clean operation.
With a processing capacity of 60 panels per hour, the line’s energy consumption is significantly lower than competitors, balancing efficiency with environmental performance. Requiring 500 sqm of floor space, 160 kW of power, and two operators, the system offers a payback period of 1–2 years, according to the company’s website.
By 2050, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) projects global end-of-life solar panel waste will reach 80 million tons, with Italy alone expecting 2.2 million tons. Ecoprogetti’s solution addresses this challenge by enabling closed-loop recycling of PV components, supporting the circular economy in renewable energy.
