5RTech Joint Stock Company focuses on researching and developing recycling technology for renewable energy equipment, including used solar panels. This type of waste is projected to increase significantly in the next 10–15 years in many countries, as solar power projects enter the equipment replacement phase.
The solar panel recycling technology operates on a closed-loop model, capable of separating the main components of a solar panel such as the junction box, aluminum frame, glass layer, and cell/EVA layer. The sorted materials are then transferred to purchasing units, optimizing the equipment's lifecycle, reducing waste, and limiting CO2 emissions.
The recycling process begins by sorting the panels based on their performance. Panels with over 70% efficiency are retained for reuse. The remaining panels undergo disassembly and separate processing for each material type, minimizing cross-contamination and secondary waste generation. The goal is to increase the material reuse rate and lower the processing cost per discarded unit.
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5RTech's recycling process. Photo: 5RTech |
5RTech's recycling process. Photo: 5RTech
The solution was developed from technology models in Japan and China, then adapted to domestic production conditions. The line has been tested on over 300 solar panels, recovering approximately 7.5 tons of glass, 750 kg of aluminum, 900 junction boxes, and 60 kg of mixed metals. The company states that the recycled materials already have a market outlet.
According to a 5RTech representative, the company is expanding its connections with environmental organizations, collection units, investors, and research institutes to transfer technology and expand its scale. The medium-term goal is to commercialize the line domestically, with the long-term goal of providing solutions for Southeast Asian countries with similar renewable energy equipment recycling needs.
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Solar panel recycling system. Photo: 5RTech |
Solar panel recycling system. Photo: 5RTech
This solution helped the company reach the top 3 Excellent Business Initiatives at the Science Initiative 2025 competition organized by VnExpress. The model was evaluated as highly applicable, innovative, and a practical contribution to environmental protection. With this result, the company received a media package worth 100 million VND, opening up opportunities for wider reach to the business community, investors, and the public interested in green technology.
Hoai Phuong
