Partners turn to blockchain to expand solar module recycling

Share

From pv magazine Global

Japanese PV module recycling specialist Next Energy and Resources Co Ltd, and Japan-based Japanese conglomerate Marubeni Corporation are planning to use blockchain technology in the process of identifying solar modules at the end of their lifecycle that are suitable for recycling or reuse.

The technology, which is currently being developed with the support of the Japanese Ministry of Environment and the Mitsubishi Research Institute, should be able to inspect the solar modules and provide data on traceability and components used, as well as verify that these data were not modified or tampered with.

The use of this transparent technique, according to Next Energy, will enable the identification of a larger amount of modules that can still be reused or recycled, which would result in a reduction of the amount of waste in landfills and, in the case of modules being reused, would also lower their carbon footprint.

No more technical details on the inspection technology were provided.

Next Energy has been active in the PV module recycling business with its “Reborn” set of standards since 2005. It claims to have inspected more than 140,000 used modules to date.

This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.

Popular content

U.S. solar will pass wind in 2025 and leave coal in the dust soon after
01 October 2025 Solar and wind represent about 11% to 12% of the energy mix each, while coal sits just under 15%. Developers brought online 16 GW of solar out of a to...