As the world faces urgent climate challenges, governments worldwide are pledging to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, positioning clean energy at the core of energy transitions. Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, known for their renewable and low-pollution attributes, have emerged as a crucial pillar in global net-zero strategies. However, as the solar market expands rapidly, a wave of PV module decommissioning is emerging. Recycling has become an increasingly pressing environmental issue. According to estimates from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the cumulative volume of end-of-life solar panels awaiting recycling will reach 730 million tons by 2050, creating an urgent and massive processing demand.
In response, TSGC has introduced its innovative PV Circulator solution, featuring a unique physical, chemical-free, and heat-free dismantling technology rarely found globally. The solution enables complete separation of aluminum frames, glass, junction boxes, solar cells, back sheets and EVA layers - achieving a 99.3% material recovery rate. In recent years, TSGC has partnered with multiple recycled-materials companies to establish a circular materials ecosystem. The company will also showcase a breakthrough hydrogen-production technology - using recovered crystalline-silicon solar cells - at CES 2026, signaling its ambition to capture emerging opportunities in the global sustainable economy.
TSGC Co-Founder and Distinguished Professor at the Department of Greenergy, National University of Tainan, Dr. Yao-Hsiang Fu, noted that current industry recycling technologies remain limited. Most recyclers remove only aluminum frames and wiring, while other components - difficult to separate at high purity - are typically incinerated in brick kilns and repurposed as tile materials. This results in the loss of high-value materials such as silver and silicon. "A single solar module contains approximately 0.6 kg of silicon and 4.8 grams of silver, representing far greater economic value than most people imagine," Fu emphasized. TSGC has already helped its partners obtain Taiwan's first license for PV module recycling and repurposing, marking a significant milestone for Taiwan's solar recycling industry.
Rising ESG demands fuel the global sustainable economy
Traditional PV recycling methods heavily rely on high-temperature thermal processing or chemical dissolution, which require significant energy consumption and may generate toxic gases and wastewater. Furthermore, these methods struggle to recover high-purity silicon wafers, silver, and copper in forms suitable for reuse. As a result, California has explicitly banned the disposal of solar panels through incineration or landfilling, accelerating the search for more environmentally friendly and economically viable recycling pathways.
In 2024, TSGC received approval from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), becoming the seventh company in California certified for solar panel recycling - and the only company capable of fully dismantling and recovering all materials. TSGC is currently in discussions with the six existing recyclers in the state. By transferring collected PV modules to TSGC for processing, these companies will gain significantly higher material-recovery revenue than through conventional methods.
Fu emphasized that as global sustainability awareness continues to rise, carbon-related regulations are rapidly evolving. For example, the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) already requires imported products to demonstrate low - or negative-carbon footprints. Products without transparent material sourcing and emissions data will struggle to enter international markets. Therefore, PV recycling is no longer merely an environmental solution - it is becoming a strategic driver of circular-economy development and international trade competitiveness. Identifying this pivotal moment, TSGC is positioned to lead the industry with a complete system for material recovery, reuse, and hydrogen production.
High mobility represents TSGC's key advantage in entering the US market
TSGC has partnered with Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA) to strengthen its global footprint through participation in major international exhibitions and increased media exposure. The company has received recognition at events such as CES in the United States and VivaTech in France, boosting its global visibility and indirectly contributing to the approval of its solar panel recycling license issued by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC).
Fu noted that the United States hosts numerous utility-scale solar farms, many of which are approaching their 20-year operational lifespan - making solar panel recycling an imminent challenge. The TSGC PV Circulator offers exceptional mobility, allowing for on-site disassembly and material separation directly at the project location, significantly reducing transportation costs and providing a major competitive edge in the U.S. market.
Looking ahead, TSGC will continue leveraging Taiwan's green energy R&D capabilities and global collaboration opportunities to further expand the applications of recycled solar materials across the energy, chemical, and green manufacturing sectors, strengthening the company's strategic role in the global sustainable economy.
Credit: TSGC