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N. Jariwala and J. Soni
9.4.3 Ecological Impact and Cost Analysis
A life cycle analysis is conducted using a module of 125 × 125 mm multicrystalline
silicon cells. Compared to a module using recycled wafers, a standard module results
in a reduced energy consumption of 40 percent per kWh produced. For 20 years the
generation of electricity is assumed in a sunny region resulting in a total generation
of 33 kWh/Wp or 71.9 kWh/waf. The reuse of recycled silicon wafer for a second
lifetime with high energy content significantly increases the carbon payback rate.
With the small additional energy consumption for recycling solar cell and module
cycle, we can again produce the same amount of energy for sunny regions, namely
165 kWh/Wp and 86 kWh/Wp for continental regions [29].
9.5 Conclusion
Traditional approaches to solar e-waste recycling don’t have all the solutions to this
growing crisis. Such approaches are energy-intensive, inefficient, and unsustainable
and pose both environmental and safety hazards. This review presents existing and
potential off-grid photovoltaic recycling systems. This paper analyzes the structure
of c-Si PV modules and discusses the status and trends of the treatment methods used
to recycle the silicon PV module. We have developed recycling process for the waste
photovoltaic module through this research. We recycle tempered glass using organic
solvent. And, the EVA had been discarded with thermal decomposition. The silicon
was eventually obtained by chemical etching process by removing metal impurities
on the recovered surface of the PV cells. In particular, we were able to achieve a high
yield of silicon by using a surfactant that may be useful to researchers interested in
recycling the PV components. This work sheds new light on air conservation and on
the successful use of the human-friendly waste materials. Recycling of photovoltaic
modules is not currently feasible, experts claim, since the volume of waste produced is
still too limited to be economically viable for recycling. However, by 2030 the waste
generated from PV modules is expected to exceed 130,000 tpa, the volume that is
sustainable for its recycling, according to the European PV modules recovery association. It is also found that while studies have shown that photovoltaic waste recycling
and end-of-life recycling modules have significant positive effects on the reduction
of environmental loads, the economic feasibility of photovoltaic module recycling
remains unfavorable and policies are required to promote producers’ accountability
not only in the photovoltaic sector, but also in the energy sector.
There will be a need for recycling technology soon as the waste generated from
solar panels is increasing rapidly. The methods for recycling of solar panels are
described in detail in this paper. However, the quality of recycled materials is yet to
be known. Research on how to use the recovered materials can be performed, which
form the future scope regarding the enhancement of this work.
N. Jariwala and J. Soni
9.4.3 Ecological Impact and Cost Analysis
A life cycle analysis is conducted using a module of 125 × 125 mm multicrystalline
silicon cells. Compared to a module using recycled wafers, a standard module results
in a reduced energy consumption of 40 percent per kWh produced. For 20 years the
generation of electricity is assumed in a sunny region resulting in a total generation
of 33 kWh/Wp or 71.9 kWh/waf. The reuse of recycled silicon wafer for a second
lifetime with high energy content significantly increases the carbon payback rate.
With the small additional energy consumption for recycling solar cell and module
cycle, we can again produce the same amount of energy for sunny regions, namely
165 kWh/Wp and 86 kWh/Wp for continental regions [29].
9.5 Conclusion
Traditional approaches to solar e-waste recycling don’t have all the solutions to this
growing crisis. Such approaches are energy-intensive, inefficient, and unsustainable
and pose both environmental and safety hazards. This review presents existing and
potential off-grid photovoltaic recycling systems. This paper analyzes the structure
of c-Si PV modules and discusses the status and trends of the treatment methods used
to recycle the silicon PV module. We have developed recycling process for the waste
photovoltaic module through this research. We recycle tempered glass using organic
solvent. And, the EVA had been discarded with thermal decomposition. The silicon
was eventually obtained by chemical etching process by removing metal impurities
on the recovered surface of the PV cells. In particular, we were able to achieve a high
yield of silicon by using a surfactant that may be useful to researchers interested in
recycling the PV components. This work sheds new light on air conservation and on
the successful use of the human-friendly waste materials. Recycling of photovoltaic
modules is not currently feasible, experts claim, since the volume of waste produced is
still too limited to be economically viable for recycling. However, by 2030 the waste
generated from PV modules is expected to exceed 130,000 tpa, the volume that is
sustainable for its recycling, according to the European PV modules recovery association. It is also found that while studies have shown that photovoltaic waste recycling
and end-of-life recycling modules have significant positive effects on the reduction
of environmental loads, the economic feasibility of photovoltaic module recycling
remains unfavorable and policies are required to promote producers’ accountability
not only in the photovoltaic sector, but also in the energy sector.
There will be a need for recycling technology soon as the waste generated from
solar panels is increasing rapidly. The methods for recycling of solar panels are
described in detail in this paper. However, the quality of recycled materials is yet to
be known. Research on how to use the recovered materials can be performed, which
form the future scope regarding the enhancement of this work.