Solar Power World
By Kelsey Misbrener | August 1, 2025
SolarCycle announced a breakthrough in solar circularity with the successful development of a proof-of-concept solar panel made with 50% recycled glass from end-of-life solar panels.
The demonstration panel, or “mini module,” was developed in partnership with Arizona State University’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. Led by Zachary Holman, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation, the project tested the performance potential of solar panels constructed with specialized recycled glass. The research demonstrated that panels made with recycled solar glass matched the performance of those made with traditional materials, marking a critical step toward a closed-loop solar manufacturing process.
ASU researcher Kate Fisher fabricated baseline mini modules using commercial virgin solar glass and test mini modules using a 50/50 blend of virgin materials and recycled glass cullet from end-of-life solar panels that had been processed through SolarCycle’s proprietary recycling technology. Using industry-standard power-conversion efficiency tests, researchers evaluated both sets of modules and found that the modules built with recycled glass performed as well as those made with virgin glass, with no statistically significant differences across any key metrics.
“This is exactly the kind of result we hope for when industry and academia collaborate,” said Dr. Holman. “Together, we proved that you don’t have to sacrifice performance to build solar panels more sustainably. It’s not just a lab success — it’s a path forward for the industry.”
These mini module tests support SolarCycle’s broader mission to close the loop in solar panel manufacturing, reduce solar waste and strengthen the domestic solar supply chain. SolarCycle plans to build a solar glass factory adjacent to its recycling facility in Cedartown, Georgia. There, it will be the first in the world to use recycled cullet as a key input.
“By proving we can manufacture new solar panels using recycled materials that produce at peak performance levels, we’re taking a major step toward making the solar industry more sustainable, scalable and self-reliant,” said Pablo Dias, chief technology officer and co-founder at SolarCycle. “Pushing the envelope in innovation is core to our mission and this achievement shows why.”
This proof-of-concept research is one of dozens of patented developments from SolarCycle. The company has built a solar recycling research and development team, with more than 30 engineers and scientists across the United States, Brazil and China. It partners with world-class institutions like Arizona State University to accelerate research and grow its talent pipeline.
News item from SolarCycle
Kelsey Misbrener was a long-time editor of Solar Power World and is still involved in the solar industry. Contact her on LinkedIn.

Scott Azevedo says
August 5, 2025 at 8:46 am
Really impressive work from SolarCycle and ASU. Using 50% recycled solar glass in new panels is exactly the kind of innovation we need to make circularity real in the PV industry. At CEA, we’re focused on helping recyclers and manufacturers bring transparency and traceability to these efforts — this is a great example of what’s possible when engineering and sustainability come together.
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