7. Conclusions

The current study presented an overview of possible PV recycling process for solar modules, including c-Si and thin-film technologies. The motivation, legislation and current processes were discussed and possible issues were addressed.

expressed herein is not accepted by the Australian Government. Additionally, the first author would like to acknowledge Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

, José I. Bilbao<sup>1</sup> and Richard Corkish<sup>1</sup>

A Review of Recycling Processes for Photovoltaic Modules

http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.74390

\*

23

, Juan Pablo Alvarez-Gaitan<sup>2</sup>

1 The Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics (ACAP), School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

2 School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney,

[1] Fthenakis VM. End-of-life management and recycling of PV modules. Energ Policy. 2000;

[3] ITRPV. International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic Results 2016, 8th ed; 2017

[5] Green MA. Commercial progress and challenges for photovoltaics. Nature Energy. 2016;

[6] ITRPV Working Group. International Technology Roadmap for Photovoltaic (ITRPV); 2016 [7] Weckend S, Wade A, Heath G. End-of-Life Management Solar Photovoltaic Panels.

[8] European Union. Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). Official Journal of the

[9] State Council of the People's Republic of China. Waste Electrical and Electronic Products

[10] Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry (METI); Ministry of Environment (MOE),

[11] Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Solid Waste Management Rules and Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules,

Guidelines on End-of-Life Management of PV Modules. Japan; 2015

\*Address all correspondence to: r.corkish@unsw.edu.au

[2] IEA, PVPS. Snapshot of Global Photovoltaic Markets; 2016

[4] REN21. Renewables 2017 Global Status Report; 2017

for her scholarship.

Author details

Australia

References

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India, 2016

Marina Monteiro Lunardi<sup>1</sup>

28(14):1051-1058

IRENA and IEA-PVPS; 2016

Recycling Regulations; 2011

European Union. 2012:L 197/38-71

So far, recycling processes of c-Si modules results in a net cost activity when compared to landfill (due to the avoidance of the true environmental costs and externalities for the latter) but these processes can ensure the sustainability of the supply chain in the long-term, increase the recovery of energy and embedded materials, while reducing CO2 emissions and energy payback time (EPBT) for the whole PV industry. The unprofitability of the current methods does not mean that the recycling of PV modules should be discarded. The PV waste management has the potential to develop new pathways for industry development and offers employment prospects to investors, for both public and private sector [7].

It is well known that the recycling of EoL PV modules has positive influences on the environmental impacts. Recycling of PV modules can remove and retain potentially harmful substances (e.g. lead, cadmium, and selenium), recover rare materials (e.g. silver, tellurium and indium) and make them available for future use [8]. To achieve the best possible results at acceptable costs, it is essential that future recycling processes stay up to date on the continuous innovations in solar cells and modules technologies.

However, the current waste volumes are still low, which entails economical obstacles for the development of the existing processes. If we compare the economics of recycling electronics and telecommunications, where the profits are generated through the recovery of precious metals and parts, it is unlikely for PV solar modules to have sufficient amounts of these materials to pay for the associated costs of the steps of recycling processes [69].

It is important that specific legislation is established for PV waste management and recycling and that this step is given before the amount of waste from EoL PV modules becomes alarming, as forecast for the year 2030 [7]. Regulation will help, but it might not be the only way. The economic viability should be achieved as well. If a recycling process for PV waste that is revenue positive (i.e. a good business) can be created, then it will happen regardless of regulations.

It was shown that recycling technologies for PV wastes are extensively explored not just on labs and pilot plants, but some are also commercially available. It is also clear that a few challenges (e.g. economic feasibility, recovery of more materials, and recovery of unbroken cells), still remain in process efficiency, complexity, energy requirements and use of nonenvironmentally friendly materials for the treatment of some elements.
