Next Energy & Resources and Marubeni are working on a blockchain-based solution to track used photovoltaic (PV) modules, reports PV Magazine.
According to the companies, the process will help ensure traceability of solar panels, assess their composition, and verify that related data has not been tampered with. Japanese company Next Energy & Resources specializes in PV panel recycling, while Marubeni is a general trading company dealing with everything from cereals to electronics, according to alternativenergia.hu.
The two companies aim to create blockchain technology that can verify and identify solar panels at the end of their lifecycle, determining which ones can be recycled. The initiative is supported by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment and the Mitsubishi Research Institute. The method is expected to allow for the assessment of each module’s history, materials, and whether its data has been manipulated. Next Energy & Resources believes this transparent approach will make it possible to identify a large number of panels that can be reused. The solution would not only reduce landfill waste but also shrink the carbon footprint of recycled modules.
Many experts agree that solar panels are essential to building a greener, carbon-neutral future. While they are far less harmful to the planet than traditional power plants, the technology still has room to improve.
One of the main challenges is the recyclability of PV modules, often hindered by difficulties in identifying used panels and lacking knowledge of their history. Next Energy & Resources has been active in its renewed form since 2005, having already examined more than 140,000 used modules. For now, the companies have not released further technical details about the project.