Wonderwall: Upcycling Discarded Solar Panel Glass
Japan, by Wonderwall
Wonderwall turns glass from discarded solar panels, classified as hazardous electronic waste, into translucent decorative wall panels. Set in epoxy resin, hundreds of panels form a kaleidoscope-like wall that changes with every view and every shift of light.
Project Objective
Thailand has adopted solar cell system ubiquitously for generating clean energy. However, the system has been operating for some time, and some are not in service any longer. Their uninstallation creates tons of electronic waste which legally classified as “hazardous waste.” To solve this issue, previous study has evaluated the replacement of solar cell glass in building materials.
This project is aimed to adopt recycled glass in the architectural and construction industry. It involves the development of prototype translucent decorative materials made from solar cell glass waste combined with epoxy resin, aiming to make them suitable for interior and hardscape architectural applications and to design them for commercial sale. The objectives are to develop prototypes, study energy savings, optimize the collaborative process through design thinking, and examine other related properties
Project Description
This project developed a cladding system which helps to let the recycled glass panel to gain social awareness while challenging the aesthetic potentiality of the new material.
A wall, but not a solid one reflects and refracts the surrounding like looking through a kaleidoscope. Hundreds of recycled glass panels offering fragmented views for the audience to have perspective to see ordinary space in an alternative way. While the audience gets closer to the screen, thousands of broken glasses are embedded within each panel. Every position you stand in offers ever changing views. The image changes dramatically with the change of the light conditions.
4-7-8-17 Report Card: Wonderwall: Upcycling Discarded Solar Panel Glass, Japan
- Four-Way Test passed
- 3 of 4
- Areas of Focus
- 2 of 7
- Pillars of Positive Peace
- 1 of 8
- UN SDGs
- 3 of 17
Four-Way Test
- Check Is it the truth? Based on earlier research, but the entry is filed under Japan while the text describes Thailand. Confirm the location.
- Pass Is it fair to all concerned? Turns a hazardous waste problem into a useful product without shifting the burden to anyone.
- Pass Will it build goodwill and better friendships? A striking public wall invites people to talk about solar waste and reuse.
- Pass Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Less hazardous waste in landfills and a new, sellable building material.
Rotary Areas of Focus
- Supporting Environment: Keeps glass from retired solar panels, classified as hazardous waste, out of landfills.
- Growing Local Economies: Designs the panels as a product for commercial sale.
Pillars of Positive Peace
- Sound Business Environment: Develops a new building material with a market for interiors and hardscapes.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production: Reuses waste solar glass instead of discarding it.
- SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Develops an innovative building material and cladding system.
- SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities: Brings recycled materials into buildings and public spaces.
Easy upgrades
- Hold public workshops at the wall to add Supporting Education and SDG 4.
- Partner with solar installers to collect retired panels to add SDG 17.
- Measure and share the energy savings to add Free Flow of Information and SDG 7.
Rated with the 4-7-8-17 framework, and reviewed by the 100 Projects in 100 Countries team.
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