Suntech joins PV CYCLE Association to develop solar module recycling program

SCHAFFHAUSEN, SWITZERLAND & WUXI, CHINA: Suntech Power Holdings Co. Ltd, the world's largest manufacturer of crystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) modules, announced that it has joined the PV CYCLE association which is engaged in establishing a voluntary take-back and recycling program for end-of-life PV modules.

"Sustainability and minimizing the impact of energy generation on the environment are two of the key principles driving the development of solar energy," said Jerry Stokes, Suntech's Vice President of Strategy and Business Development. "We believe that module life-cycle management and comprehensive recycling is a natural extension of these concepts."

"With over 1.1GW of Suntech solar products shipped worldwide since our inception, we believe it is essential that Suntech take a proactive role in developing effective recycling programs. We are looking forward to collaborating with the PV CYCLE association and further developing our internal module recycling initiative," added Mr. Stokes.

"PV CYCLE welcomes Suntech as the latest member to our Association, which now covers around 80 percent of the European photovoltaic market with its 35 member companies spread around the globe. We look forward to seeing many more members joining our voluntary take-back and recycling program. We need to ensure the inclusion of all photovoltaic manufacturers and importers enforcing and maximizing the representation of our responsibility as producers. Doing so will make the photovoltaic industry truly DoubleGreen," declared Jan Clyncke, Managing Director of PV CYCLE aisbl.

PV modules are designed to generate clean, renewable energy for over 25 years. With the first significant installations in the early 1990s, full-scale end-of-life recycling is still another 10 to 15 years away.

Nevertheless, the PV CYCLE Association is already developing concrete plans to develop a recycling program that minimizes waste and maximizes re-use of valuable resources such as glass, silicon and aluminum.

PV CYCLE was founded in 2007 with the specific purpose of implementing the photovoltaic industry's commitment to set up a voluntary take-back and recycling program for end-of-life waste PV modules.

To produce green and renewable energy, end-of-life modules need to be recovered and recycled. This will minimise waste and allow the re-use of valuable raw materials to produce new modules.

By closing the life cycle of photovoltaic modules, industry players take their responsibility and are "Making the photovoltaic industry DoubleGreen."