Freiburg, Germany – October 01, 2026 -- Hoymiles supplied 300 microinverters to convert 600 used solar panels into plug-in photovoltaic systems during an upcycling event in Freiburg, Germany, marking the company's third consecutive year supporting the initiative.
600 panels from a toothbrush factory get a second life
The panels had operated for 13 years on the roof of a toothbrush factory in the Black Forest before being dismantled. According to organizer BalkonSolar e.V., roughly 5% of the panels showed defects, while the remainder were suitable for immediate reuse. More than 500 citizens, alongside local organizations and public representatives, assembled 300 plug-in PV systems, each pairing two used modules with a Hoymiles microinverter and cabling.
City-funded program distributes systems free of charge
The completed plug-in systems were handed to participating citizens at no cost, funded through the City of Freiburg's Solar Summer program. BalkonSolar e.V. chair Sebastian Müller said old solar panels do not have to be discarded and can be safely converted into plug-in PV systems once removed from a roof.
Hoymiles has backed German upcycling events since 2024
Hoymiles first joined the upcycling initiative in 2024 and has since supplied microinverter technology to multiple community-led projects in Germany. Hoymiles CEO Dr. Yang Bo said the company has supported the initiative for three consecutive years as part of its broader approach to resource use in renewable energy.
Independent module-level tracking suits mismatched used panels
Hoymiles microinverters allow each module to operate independently with its own maximum power point tracking, maintaining system output even when reused modules differ in condition or orientation. The company positions the technology as the key component enabling previously deployed rooftop modules to function as complete, safe plug-in solar systems for residential use.