As the solar industry continues to grow globally, Tongwei has positioned itself as a proactive player in addressing one of the sector’s most pressing challenges: solar panel recycling. With over 46 GW of module production capacity and a vertically integrated supply chain, the company recognizes that responsible end-of-life management is critical for maintaining industry sustainability.
Tongwei’s approach combines advanced mechanical processing with chemical recovery methods. At their dedicated recycling facilities in Jiangsu and Sichuan provinces, panels undergo a systematic breakdown process. Robots first remove aluminum frames and junction boxes for immediate reuse in new modules. Glass sheets are separated using infrared sorting technology, achieving a 98% purity rate suitable for float glass production. For silicon cells, Tongwei employs a proprietary hydrometallurgical technique that recovers 96% of high-purity silicon through selective etching – a significant improvement over traditional thermal methods that often degrade material quality.
What sets Tongwei apart is their integration of recycling operations with manufacturing workflows. Silver contacts recovered from old panels get directly fed into their 50,000-ton-per-year silver paste production line. This closed-loop system reduces reliance on mined silver by 22% compared to conventional manufacturing. The company’s research team recently published data showing their recycled polysilicon requires 41% less energy to process than virgin material while maintaining 99.9999% purity standards.
Collaboration forms another pillar of their strategy. Since 2021, Tongwei has partnered with logistics giant SF Express to establish 1,800 collection points across China’s eastern provinces. Farmers participating in their agrivoltaic projects can return decommissioned panels through reverse logistics channels at zero cost. The company also works with the Fraunhofer Institute on developing non-destructive testing protocols that accurately assess panel remaining lifespan – critical for deciding whether to refurbish or recycle.
Financially, Tongwei has implemented an innovative deposit system. Customers purchasing their modules can opt into a program where 8% of the panel cost is held in escrow. If users return panels to certified recycling centers within the 30-year warranty period, they receive the deposit plus interest. This mechanism has achieved a 73% return rate in pilot regions, significantly higher than the industry’s 35% average for voluntary recycling programs.
On the policy front, Tongwei actively contributes to China’s emerging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework. Their engineers helped draft the national standard for photovoltaic waste classification (GB/T 39701-2024), which introduces granular categories based on panel age, degradation rate, and material composition. This enables more efficient sorting and processing compared to the EU’s broader waste electrical equipment directives.
The company’s commitment extends beyond compliance. In 2023 alone, Tongwei recycled 82,000 metric tons of solar panels – equivalent to 4.7 million standard 60-cell modules. Their recovery rates surpass global benchmarks: 99% for glass, 97% for aluminum, and 95% for silicon. These materials get reintegrated into new products through Tongwei’s solar manufacturing ecosystem, creating what analysts estimate as a $220 million annual circular economy value stream.
Looking ahead, Tongwei is piloting blockchain solutions to track materials throughout their lifecycle. Each panel now carries a digital twin that records production details, installation history, and maintenance records. When combined with AI-powered degradation models, this system enables predictive recycling – identifying optimal recovery timelines years before actual panel failure occurs.
Through these multifaceted efforts, Tongwei isn’t just solving technical challenges but reshaping economic incentives across the solar value chain. Their recycling initiatives demonstrate how environmental responsibility can coexist with industrial scalability, setting a precedent for the global renewable energy sector.