SOPHIA
Implementation of Advanced Digital Solutions to increase the circularity of PV panels throughout the full value chain
SOPHIA tackles the challenge of managing photovoltaic (PV) panels at their End of Life and raising awareness on electronic waste.
The project will develop advanced digital solutions across the value chain to boost reuse and repair rates. A robotic prototype powered by AI will assess the state-of-health and support dismantling of panels.
When panels cannot be repaired, they will be recycled through shredding, sorting, and tailored upcycling processes. Thanks to the Digital Product Passport, panels will be traceable and identifiable by type and composition, improving the quality of recovered secondary raw materials.
Repaired panels and recycled materials will be sold on a dedicated marketplace, with full traceability ensured by the DPP. In addition, SOPHIA will design a prototype of an eco-friendly, easy-to-dismantle solar panel to support long-term circularity.
Overall, the project aims to foster sustainable practices in the PV industry, raise awareness of its environmental impact, and open new market opportunities in Europe.
Our Role
ENCO plays a central role in exploitation activities, focusing on the following tasks:
- Economic analysis (Task 6.1): ENCO leads the life cycle cost (LCC) analysis of the SOPHIA process, identifying CAPEX and OPEX, and calculating key economic indicators such as ROI and NPV. The task also includes an economic feasibility study, sensitivity and risk analyses, and provides input for the Exploitation Plan (Task 8.3).
- Innovation, IPR and exploitation management (Task 7.3): ENCO develops the Exploitation Plan, identifying exploitable results (ERs), proposing IP protection strategies, assessing technology readiness levels (TRL), and defining exploitation routes and strategies. Annual exploitation workshops and an IPR Manual are also part of this task to guide IP management within the consortium.
- Data management (Task 7.5): In coordination with AIMPLAS, ENCO contributes to the Data Management Plan, ensuring compliance with FAIR principles and GDPR. The plan defines how data is collected, processed, preserved, and made openly accessible, including updates throughout the project’s lifecycle and promoting open access publications.
WEBSITE URL
www.sophia-project.eu
FUNDING PROGRAMME
HORIZON EUROPE
BUDGET
€ 211.137.50
PROJECT DURATION
36 months
START DATE
June 1st, 2025
PROJECT SOCIAL NETWORK: