The solar industry has created a new raw material source. We unlock it.

SOLAR MATERIALS was founded in 2021 to solve an industrial problem: billions of end-of-life solar modules contain critical materials — silver, silicon, glass, aluminum — that are inaccessible with conventional processes. We developed the technology that changes this. Patented. Certified. Scalable.

Solar Materials Mitarbeiter arbeitet an den Solarmodulen

Our Vision: A solar industry where end-of-life modules are not disposed of, but used as a raw material source for the next generation.

From Research to Industrial Facility

We view end-of-life solar modules not as waste, but as raw material carriers. From this conviction, we developed a patented thermomechanical process that recovers silver, silicon, glass, and aluminum as separate material fractions.

Since our founding in 2021, we have been developing technology, building industrial capacity, and creating new value chains for the solar industry. Today, we operate an industrial recycling facility at our Magdeburg site and work with partners from the recycling, materials, and solar industries to make the solar circular economy economically viable and scalable.

Our technology

Management Team

Dr. Jan-Philipp Mai

Co-Founder & CEO

David Stuck

CFO

Jan Bargel

Co-Founder & CTO

Our Mission: We recover solar raw materials. Through technological excellence, patented processes, and scalable structures, we lay the foundation for a functioning circular economy in the solar industry.

One patented process. One closed loop.

We recover silver, silicon, glass, and aluminum from end-of-life solar modules and return these materials to industrial value chains.

Our patented thermomechanical process handles solar modules without chemical inputs and achieves recovery rates of up to 99%. Rather than producing material mixtures, we recover defined material fractions for industrial processing.

Since October 2023, we have operated a certified initial treatment facility and waste management operation in Germany under ElektroG. With an annual capacity of 14,000 metric tons, we lay the foundation for the industrial scaling of the solar circular economy.

Recycling, Not Disposal

Recycling is legally required for solar modules. We exceed this obligation — and at record throughput.

Solar Materials Mitarbeiter arbeitet an Solarmodulen

Solar Park Operators

EPCs & Developers

Module Manufacturers

Our Guiding Principles

Value

End-of-life solar modules are not a liability — they are a raw material source. We unlock silver, silicon, aluminum, and glass for the next generation of the solar industry.

Responsibility

Legally compliant recovery is our baseline. Our standard is to recover raw materials and keep them in continuous circulation.

Innovation

We develop and scale technologies that turn solar modules back into raw materials. Not someday — today, at industrial scale.

Clarity

We communicate directly, based on facts, and in plain terms. Complex challenges require clear answers.

Partnership

A functioning solar circular economy cannot be built alone. We work with long-term partners on globally deployable solutions.

Interested in Working Together?

Whether it’s a solar park, repowering project, or manufacturer responsibility — we will gladly assess whether free pickup is possible for your project.

Certified. Documented. Operational.

99%

Recovery Rate

Patented thermomechanical process with no chemical inputs. Significantly exceeds regulatory requirements for material recovery and recycling.

14,000

Tons Annual Capacity

Industrial facility in Magdeburg. Designed for large module volumes from solar parks, repowering, and decommissioning.

2023

certified

WEEE-compliant initial treatment facility and certified waste management operation with complete documentation and proof of compliance.

> 70

Employees

Growing team of recycling, logistics, and technology specialists. The foundation for building the solar circular economy at industrial scale.

Solar Materials Mitarbeiterin im Gespräch am Besprechungstisch

Solar Materials Mitarbeiter arbeitet an einer Maschine

Solar Materials Mitarbeiter am Besprechungstisch

Solar Materials Mitarbeiter arbeitet am Laptop und lächelt

Solar Materials Mitarbeitende besprechen sich in der Produktionshalle

In 5 Steps

From Request to Proof of Disposal

Request and Assessment

You provide us with module quantity, module type, and location. We assess the parameters and come back to you with a tailored solution for recycling and logistics.

Logistics and Pickup

SOLAR MATERIALS organizes Europe-wide pickup and coordinates the handover of your modules.

Incoming Inspection in Magdeburg

Modules are weighed, documented, and prepared for processing.

Thermomechanical Recycling

Aluminum, glass, silicon, silver, copper, and other materials are separated from one another without chemical inputs.

Proof of Disposal

Upon completion of processing, you receive a complete proof of disposal under ElektroG.

More About SOLAR MATERIALS

How end-of-life modules return to the solar industry as raw materials.

Recycling

Silver, silicon, glass, aluminum — what we recover.

Raw Materials

How the thermomechanical process works.

Technology

Our Solution for Asset Owners

Solar Parks

Solar Module Recycling

Compliant.
Sustainable.
Free of Charge.

From compliant module take-back to high-value material recovery: SOLAR MATERIALS handles the entire value chain.

Or talk to us directly:

Petra Schmigalle

Supply

sales@solar-materials.com
+49 1520 7278078

The solar industry has created a new raw material source. We unlock it.

Our Vision: A solar industry where end-of-life modules are not disposed of, but used as a raw material source for the next generation.

From Research to Industrial Facility