RPIA is proud to be part of the Horizon Europe Project RETRIEVE, a pioneering initiative aimed at improving the recyclability of photovoltaic (PV) panels. With a substantial grant of nearly EUR 7 million, RETRIEVE is poised to make a transformative impact on renewable energy and sustainability.
Launched on October 1, 2023, and set to run for 42 months, this groundbreaking project unites a consortium of 17 partners from 10 countries, all working towards reshaping how PV panel waste is managed and reintegrated into manufacturing.
Key focus areas of the project include:
- End-of-life (EoL) management and recycling of PV panels
- Silicon and glass recycling
- Plastic valorization
- Building a circular PV value chain
- Developing business models for sustainable, secondary raw materials
RETRIEVE’s cutting-edge technology ensures that over 95% of high-quality materials from end-of-life solar panels are upcycled and reused in new solar products, all while recovering more than 99% of silver and removing toxic compounds. Additionally, the project is advancing methods to transform plastic waste from solar panels into valuable syngas, capturing carbon, and eliminating harmful substances like fluorine.
By reintegrating upcycled materials such as glass and silicon into new, fully operational PV modules “Made in Europe,” RETRIEVE is driving a circular economy and opening new markets for sustainable materials.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101122332.
Disclaimer:
“Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them”.
EMPOWER Project Overview
The EMPOWER Project is a Horizon Europe-funded initiative focused on advancing the photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing sector in Europe. It brings together 24 partners from 9 countries to enhance energy independence and sustainability through innovative solar technologies. The project officially launched in March 2025 with a kick-off meeting in Oslo, setting the foundation for transformative clean energy innovation across Europe.
Objectives and Goals
EMPOWER aims to establish a competitive and resilient European PV manufacturing ecosystem by reducing production costs, minimizing environmental impact, and revitalizing upstream solar production capabilities. The project focuses on lowering capital and operational expenditures (CapEx and OpEx) across the PV value chain, enhancing throughput and yield, minimizing energy and raw material consumption, reducing CO₂ emissions and waste, and developing low-carbon, high-efficiency N-type silicon solar technologies.
Innovation and Strategic Vision
EMPOWER introduces new technologies to simplify PV manufacturing, reduce costs, and lower environmental impact. Alongside technical innovation, the project will also develop a virtual production line and market strategy. By integrating Industry 4.0 tools, EMPOWER aims to improve efficiency and help position Europe as a leader in the global solar sector.
Timeline and Impact
Over 3.5 years, EMPOWER will demonstrate its high-throughput technologies for feasibility and scalability. The expected impact includes enhanced European energy security, alignment with climate goals, and technological sovereignty in solar PV.
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101172767.
Disclaimer:
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.