Bifacial solar module is a high-efficiency photovoltaic panel designed to generate electricity from both the front and rear sides. Unlike traditional single-glass modules, bifacial panels use double-glass encapsulation, which enhances durability, increases energy yield, and provides better resistance to moisture and environmental stress. With the rapid global adoption of bifacial technology, managing end-of-life double-glass modules has become essential. This is where a bifacial solar module glass recovery system plays a critical role in sustainable solar waste management.

Importance of Recycling Bifacial Solar Modules

Recycling bifacial modules is significant for several reasons:

1. High Material Value – Double-glass modules contain valuable materials such as tempered glass, high-purity silicon, aluminum frames, EVA/POE films, and junction boxes. Efficient recovery lowers the need for raw material mining.

2. Environmental Protection – Proper treatment prevents waste accumulation and reduces the environmental footprint of the solar industry.

3. Growing End-of-Life Volume – As bifacial panels become widely installed across solar farms, their end-of-life quantities will greatly increase in the next 10–15 years.

4. Circular Economy Contribution – Recycling helps return high-quality glass and silicon to manufacturing, supporting global sustainability goals.

Introduction to the Bifacial Solar Module Glass Recovery System

A bifacial solar module glass recovery system is a specialized recycling line designed to separate and recover front and rear glass layers from double-glass photovoltaic modules. It operates with advanced mechanical and thermal technologies that allow safe, clean, and efficient treatment of waste bifacial modules.

Key features of the system include:

• Precision cutting and module debonding

• Controlled heating or delamination to soften EVA/POE

• High-efficiency glass separation without breakage

• Silicon wafer recovery and material purification

• Fully automated dust and exhaust filtration

Each step ensures the maximum recovery rate of glass and high-value materials while minimizing energy consumption.

Recycling Process of Bifacial Solar Glass Recovery Systems

The bifacial module recycling process typically includes the following stages:

1. Manual Pre-sorting
   Removal of aluminum frames, junction boxes, and cables.

2. Double-Glass Module Cutting
   A cutting machine trims the edges of the bifacial module to expose laminated layers.

3. Thermal or Mechanical Delamination

   • Thermal pyrolysis softens EVA/POE adhesive, making it easier to separate the glass.

   • Mechanical peeling applies controlled force to remove glued layers.

4. Glass Separation
   The system extracts the front and rear tempered glass with minimal cracking, achieving a high recycling purity.

5. Silicon Cell Recovery
   Silicon wafers, metal contacts, and other electronic components are separated for further refining.

6. Material Collection & Purification
   Clean glass, silicon, and metals are collected and processed according to industrial standards.

This systematic process ensures an efficient recovery rate, often reaching >95% glass purity.

Applications and Uses of Recovered Double-Glass Material

The recovered glass from bifacial solar panels can be reused in several industries:

• Glass manufacturing for new building materials

• Solar panel production, after re-melting and purification

• Glass wool and insulation materials

• Ceramics and decorative materials

• Construction aggregates for eco-friendly infrastructure projects

Recycled silicon can be refined for electronic components or new photovoltaic wafers, depending on purity.