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Innovative Solutions for Extended Life of PV Modules

Millions of photovoltaic modules are going to reach the end of their proposed lifespan in close or midterm future, but many are still functional. You are challenged to come up with innovative solutions to evaluate the functionality of these modules and propose concepts for a second life- or re-use. Join forces with SOLARIMO to improve the efficiency and lifetime of PV modules and build a more circular energy industry.

#PVModuleReuse #PhotovoltaicLifecycle #CircularEconomy

  • ✅ Completed
  • 🏁 Winner

    Congratulations to KatexPower & SolarDoc for taking first place!

  • 🏆 Prize

    EUR 3,000 prize pool + customer testing + potential distribution partnership and investments

  • 🌎 Scope

    Global with focus on the regulations of the German market within solution development

  • ❓ Q&A Call
  • 🌱 Innovate 2030 All SDGs

    This challenge is part of the Innovate 2030 program

In this tab, you can find all the relevant information for your submission. The following contents must be submitted for participation.

How to submit

  1. Submission template (mandatory)
    A standard template is available. The template will help you structure your solutions and approaches and provide answers to all relevant questions and frameworks. Please download the submission template here.
  2. Optional content
    You can try to stand out and also supplement your submission with prototypes, image and video materials, or other concepts or visual elements - simply submit these files additionally via our platform.

Mandatory Questions 

These three questions should definitely be addressed as part of your concept:

1.      How do you prevent functional pv modules or valuable components to just be disposed of?

2.      How do you incentivize the current operators of the PV modules or other needed partners to be part of the solution?

3.      How scalable is the proposed solution, and how can it be adapted to different types of PV modules and installations?

Criteria & guidelines

Minimum maturity at the end of the Challenge: technical and commercial development plan (processes and technology) taking into account:

  • Identification and approach of operators
  • Evaluation of functionality
  • Dismantling
  • Separation and transport to next destination
  • Installation for second life

Stakeholder Focus:

  • Concepts for explicitly institutional stakeholders as initial buyers of PV modules are to be elaborated for the challenge.