SolarCycle to supply recycled glass to Runergy Alabama

Runergy Alabama Inc., a leading solar module manufacturer headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, has formed a strategic partnership with SolarCycle through which the solar recycling company will provide recycled glass for its solar modules and serve as its recycling partner.

Under the terms of the agreements, SolarCycle, which has its headquarters and a processing plant in Mesa, Arizona, with a second processing facility in Odesa, Texas, will supply what it describes as “ultra-low carbon glass,” manufactured in part from recycled solar panels, for use in Runergy’s bifacial, high-efficiency solar modules. SolarCycle will provide at least 4 gigawatts, or 30 million square meters, of domestically manufactured glass to Runergy Alabama over five years.

RELATED: A virtuous cycle

In addition to supplying glass, SolarCycle will provide comprehensive recycling services for Runergy Alabama's solar products. This partnership ensures that at the end of their life cycle, Runergy Alabama's solar panels can be recycled, significantly reducing environmental impact and supporting the sustainability goals of both companies. 

The recycling company has signed long-term partnerships with more than 40 of North America's largest solar energy companies to reuse and recycle their solar panels, including Georgia-based solar manufacturer Qcells and Heliene, based in Canada with a manufacturing facility in the U.S. in Minnesota.

SolarCycle says its advanced, proprietary recycling technology allows it to extract 95 percent of the value from used solar panels. 

"We are thrilled to partner with SolarCycle to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of our manufacturing process," says Jusong Wang, ph.D., managing director at Runergy Alabama Inc. "This partnership not only strengthens our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint but also ensures that our products have a more sustainable lifecycle from production through to recycling for the U.S." 

SolarCycle co-founder and CEO Suvi Sharma adds, “Our mission is to build increased sustainability and scalability for the solar supply chain, and this partnership with Runergy helps us accelerate that mission. We look forward to working with the Runergy team to help grow solar in America, create good, family-sustaining local jobs and reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain.”