Research theme 3
Converting Recycled Materials into Value-Added Products
Theme leaders
Prof Chun-Xia Zhao
(UofA)
Prof Debra Bernhardt
(UQ)
Background
The value of solar panel recycling lies not only in recovering materials but also in ensuring their effective reuse. Without high-value applications, recycled products risk becoming low-grade or underutilised. RT3 focuses on converting recycled silicon, glass, and metals into reliable, value-added products that can re-enter key industries. By identifying pathways for reusing these materials, this theme ensures that PV recycling contributes to both economic value creation and environmental sustainability.
Aims
Recycled Silicon (Si) Applications
Recycled Glass Applications
Green Recovery of Valuable Metals
Outcomes
This theme will deliver new applications and markets for recycled materials, ensuring that recovered silicon, glass, and metals are not wasted but transformed into high-quality inputs. Outcomes include solar panels manufactured with recycled content, greener construction materials, and sustainable metal recovery routes that replace conventional, carbon-intensive metallurgy. By closing the loop, RT3 strengthens the economic case for PV recycling and supports a truly circular renewable energy sector.
RT 3.1. Recycled Silicon (Si) Applications
P16: Reusing recycled silicon in new solar panel manufacturing.
P17: Using recycled silicon in steelmaking and concrete industries.
RT 3.2. Recycled Glass Applications
P18: Reusing recycled glass in new solar panel production.
RT 3.3. Green Recovery of Valuable Metals
P19: Recovering valuable metals through reduction processes.
P20: Using bio-engineered methods to precipitate and recover metals sustainably.