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France seeks recyclers for CdTe, CIGS solar modules

Soren is seeking companies to develop thin-film PV module recycling solutions in France for CdTe and CIGS technologies, with proposals due Oct. 21, 2026. The selected solution will prioritize a 1,300-tonne batch of CdTe modules as recycling volumes are projected to rise sharply through 2037.
Gwénaëlle Deboutte
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Gwénaëlle Deboutte
Soren de Galloo Halluin reprocessing site | Image: Soren

Soren, the government-approved eco-organization responsible for collecting and processing end-of-life photovoltaic modules in France, has launched a call for expressions of interest (CEI) to identify companies capable of developing and deploying a processing solution in France for thin-film PV modules.

The initiative targets cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) technologies, while the ability to process amorphous silicon (a-Si) modules would be considered an advantage.

The deadline for submissions is Oct. 21, 2026. Only candidates that participate in the CEI and meet the eligibility criteria will be able to submit proposals under the subsequent call for projects.

Priority processing for 1,300 tonnes of CdTe modules

The proposed processing solutions do not need to be dedicated exclusively to end-of-life PV modules, but they must be able to handle modules from different manufacturers within the same technology category.

Once a processing solution becomes operational, a 1,300-tonne batch of CdTe modules produced by German manufacturer Calyxo will be prioritized for processing.

In 2026, Soren commissioned the Becquerel Institute to assess the potential volumes of PV modules requiring processing in France and Europe. The study was based on a literature review and interviews with PV industry stakeholders, including module manufacturers, project developers and PV waste management companies.

According to the study, the volume of CdTe modules that Soren could be required to process in France is estimated at 770 tonnes in 2027, rising to 2,660 tonnes in 2030 and 15,000 tonnes in 2037.

For CIGS modules, the corresponding volumes are estimated at 430 tonnes in 2027, 1,090 tonnes in 2030 and 2,900 tonnes in 2037.

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