5N Plus diversifies into solar module recycling

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

The cadmium telluride refiner and major supplier to First Solar, 5N Plus is diversifying into solar module recycling, according to a Wall Street Journal article. The company is setting up in a rented facility the system required initially to handle coated soda-lime glass and later the ability to recycle fully laminated modules. The new business is not connected to First Solar’s CdTe modules, according to the story, which quoted a First Solar spokesperson.

5N Plus executives had noted in its most recent quarterly conference call that it was looking at further business opportunities and potential acquisitions to grow the company in related fields to its current main refining and recycling businesses.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

The company was expecting to extract 7.5 tons of tellurium dioxide from the recycled modules in the first year of the project being started.

Read Next

Premium
August 3, 2026
Australia's National Electricity Market recorded a combined 3,320GWh of solar generation in July 2026, comprising 1,448GWh from utility-scale assets and 1,872GWh from rooftop systems.
August 3, 2026
Trinasolar has been selected to supply solar modules for the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia project in New South Wales, Australia.
July 31, 2026
FIC has acquired Perfect Power, developer and owner of the Jaguar Energy Centre, a planned 1.15GW solar and battery storage platform.
July 31, 2026
The Colombian Ministry of Mines and Energy has awarded 995MW of solar PV and nearly 100MW of battery energy storage system (BESS) in a clean energy procurement auction.
July 31, 2026
Solar PV solutions provider Nextpower has registered a record quarterly eBOS bookings in the second quarter of 2026 and completed the acquisition of Zigor Corporation and its US-based subsidiary, Apex Power.
July 31, 2026
German solar research centre the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (Fraunhofer ISE) has signed an agreement with Himachal Pradesh University to pursue research into floating solar PV.

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
October 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
Solar Media Events
November 3, 2026
Málaga, Spain
Solar Media Events
November 24, 2026
Warsaw, Poland
Solar Media Events
April 20, 2027
Istanbul, Türkiye