The first edition of the SUMMED-PV summer school, Summer School on Raw Materials in Photovoltaics, with funding from EIT Raw Materials, at the University of Milano-Bicocca from Sept. 8-13, 2024, has successfully taken place. Fifty students from Italian and foreign universities participated, attending five days of lectures, workshops, industrial plant and cultural visits, social events, and group activities. Our participants dove deep into hands-on workshops, collaborated with industry experts, and gained insights into the vital role of raw materials in photovoltaics. Everyone’s energy, passion, and commitment were truly inspiring. Many high-caliber speakers provided an overview of the problem of raw materials in the PV supply chain and their recovery, from laboratory-scale cells to end-of-life panel disposal.

Many members and users of the Mib-solar center participated in the success of the event, both as part of the organizational staff (Prof. Simona Olga Binetti – project manager, Dr. Giorgio Tseberlidis, Dr. Vanira Trifiletti, Dr. Chiara Liliana Boldrini) and as students. A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable experience. As we close this chapter, we look forward to seeing how the ideas and skills developed here will shape the future of photovoltaics.

The second edition will be held at the University of Salerno next year, more updates will be posted on the school’s website.