2ndcycle.at provides automated testing and recycling technology for photovoltaic modules, enabling maximum value recovery from used solar panels. Their Reuse Line is the world's first fully automated testing system that assesses electrical performance alongside encapsulant and backsheet condition, generating reports with lifetime and performance projections. The company also offers automated deframing systems, drone-based thermography inspections, and the SolarBox logistics solution for collection systems and recyclers.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Photovoltaic modules reaching end-of-life or being replaced during repowering projects present significant challenges for value recovery and responsible disposal. Traditional testing methods are limited, often measuring only electrical performance without assessing material degradation, while manual recycling processes are inefficient and result in lower-quality material recovery. This leaves solar plant operators, recyclers, and O&M teams without reliable data to make informed reuse decisions or maximize the value of end-of-life modules.
Solution
2ndcycle.at provides automated technology solutions for the entire PV module lifecycle, from reuse assessment to recycling. Their Reuse Line is the world's first fully automated testing line that measures electrical performance while also assessing the condition of the encapsulant and backsheet, producing robust test reports with lifetime and performance projections. For end-of-life modules, their fully automated recycling line recovers valuable materials at the highest possible quality with maximum efficiency. The company also offers a universal logistics solution called SolarBox for collection systems and recyclers, plus an automated deframing system that processes all module types without retooling, keeping glass unbroken for intact modules and removing glass residue from frame grooves for broken ones.
Target Audience
Primary customers include solar plant operators decommissioning or repowering installations, PV module recyclers, O&M teams, and collection systems seeking automated testing, recycling, and logistics solutions for used photovoltaic modules.
Features
- Fully automated Reuse Line testing electrical performance and encapsulant/backsheet condition with lifetime and performance projections
- Automated recycling line designed for maximum value recovery with high automation and efficiency
- SolarBox universal logistics solution for collection systems, O&M teams, and recyclers with optional trackability
- Automated deframing system processing all module types without retooling, preserving glass integrity for intact modules
- Drone-based thermography inspection detecting hotspots, substring failures, PID, cell cracks, and junction box defects with geo-referenced reports
- Failure analysis and defect documentation services supporting warranty and guarantee cases