Develops and delivers automated reuse and recycling systems for PV modules, including module testing.
2nd Cycle FlexCo
3300 Amstetten, Austria · Agathastraße 2-4, Top 4New on Amplifa
About 2nd Cycle
2nd Cycle FlexCo is a mechanical engineering company based in Amstetten (Lower Austria) that specializes in automated reuse and recycling technology for PV modules. The portfolio includes the world's first fully automatic testing line for solar modules – including EL imaging, IV curve measurement, bypass test, AI analysis and spectrometry – a fully automatic recycling line with raw material recovery, a frame removal system for all module types, and the SolarBox as a standardized logistics system for collection, O&M and recycling. The offering is complemented by services such as damage analysis and module repair, drone-based thermographic inspection of PV systems, on-site park refurbishing, and online tools for calculating reuse potential and forecasting backflow volumes. Silicon modules with components such as module glass, aluminum frames, encapsulation material and backsheet are processed. The pilot plant for PV module testing was successfully developed and was used, among other applications, to assess modules damaged by the 2024 millennium flood in Dürnrohr; reference customers include LINZ AG.
- Site
- Amstetten
- Processes
- PV module testing (automated testing line: EL imaging, IV curve, bypass test, AI analysis,, Reuse decision including lifetime and performance forecast, PV module recycling (fully automatic recycling line, raw material recovery), Frame removal from PV modules (automated, all module types without retooling), Thermal delamination, Frame removal system (standalone or core module of a modular recycling line), SolarBox logistics system (collection system, O&M, optionally with tracking), PV module disposal (disposal & reuse, repowering)
- Materials
- PV modules (silicon modules), Encapsulation material, Backsheet, Glass (module glass), Aluminum (frames)
- Certificates
- Automated test reports (EL, IV, bypass, AI)
- Industries
- Photovoltaics, PV park operators/O&M, Recycling, Solar industry, PV park operators/O&M
- 01
Consulting & reuse potential analysis
- 02
Drone-based thermographic inspection
- 03
PV module testing (EL, IV curve, insulation test)
- 04
Classification: reuse or recycling
- 05
Repair & electrical refurbishment
- 06
Frame removal & thermal delamination
- 07
Raw material recovery (glass, aluminum)
- 08
Logistics via SolarBox
Materials & Processes
PV modules (silicon modules)
Central objects of testing and recycling in the reuse and recycling systems.
Aluminum (frames)
Recovered through frame removal with a higher purity and fed into remelting.
Glass (module glass)
Remains intact in undamaged modules and forms the prerequisite for thermal delamination.
Encapsulation material
Condition is assessed during automated testing.
Backsheet
Condition assessment is performed in the fully automatic testing line.
Locations
Amstetten
ATHeadquarters, development and manufacturing of the systems
- Materials
- Silicon PV modules
- Fully automatic reuse testing system
- Fully automatic recycling line for PV modules
- Frame removal system
- High-throughput testing system
- SolarBox
- Mobile refurbishing unit
Products & Systems
Inside the production
Industries
Processes & technical limits
| Processes | Tolerance | Max. part | Weight | Lot size | Materials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PV module testing (automated testing line: EL imaging, IV curve, bypass test, AI analysis,Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Reuse decision including lifetime and performance forecastTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| PV module recycling (fully automatic recycling line, raw material recovery)Recycling | – | – | – | – | – |
| Frame removal from PV modules (automated, all module types without retooling)Recycling | – | – | – | – | – |
| Thermal delaminationRecycling | – | – | – | – | – |
| Frame removal system (standalone or core module of a modular recycling line)Recycling | – | – | – | – | – |
| SolarBox logistics system (collection system, O&M, optionally with tracking)Logistics | – | – | – | – | – |
| PV module disposal (disposal & reuse, repowering)Recycling | – | – | – | – | – |
| Damage analysis & documentation of defects (warranty and guarantee cases)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| PV module repairAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Drone-based thermographic inspection of PV systems (hotspots, substring failures, PID,Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Reuse potential calculation (residual value, CO₂ savings, recommended action)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| PV recycling market outlook (forecasting tool for backflow volumes)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
| Park refurbishing (stationary or mobile directly in the solar park: testing, cleaning, sorting)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Insulation and dielectric breakdown testsTesting | – | – | – | – | – |
| Connector replacement & electrical refurbishmentAssembly | – | – | – | – | – |
| Automated cleaning & visual inspectionSurface | – | – | – | – | – |
| Classification by reusability (fit for reuse / recycling required)Testing | – | – | – | – | – |
| Development and delivery of reuse & recycling systems (mechanical engineering)Engineering | – | – | – | – | – |
7 Anlagen & Maschinen
| Machine | Manufacturer / model | Quantity | Working area | Year built | Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fully automatic testing line for PV modules (reuse system) | 2nd Cycle | – | – | – | Amstetten, AT |
| Fully automatic recycling line for PV modules | 2nd Cycle | – | – | – | Amstetten, AT |
| Frame removal system for PV modules | 2nd Cycle | – | – | – | Amstetten, AT |
| High-throughput testing system for PV modules | 2nd Cycle | – | – | – | Amstetten, AT |
| SolarBox (mobile logistics/refurbishing container, tracking optional) | 2nd Cycle | – | – | – | mobile |
| Mobile refurbishing unit | 2nd Cycle | – | – | – | mobile |
| Drone for thermographic inspection | – | – | – | – | – |
Additional services
Reference customers
Quality
The automated testing line records electrical data and assesses the condition of encapsulation material and backsheet; results are documented in verifiable test reports including lifetime and performance forecasts – also serving as a basis for warranty and guarantee cases.
| Evidence | Amstetten |
|---|---|
| Automated test reports (EL, IV, bypass, AI) |
History
- 2024
Pilot plant for PV module testing successfully developed; deployed to assess modules damaged by the millennium flood in Dürnrohr