4. Photovoltaic recycling technologies studied worldwide

Table 1 summarizes the recycling possibilities for silicon solar modules, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each process.

Studies show that the impurity levels are an important issue during the recycling processes. For example, high temperature thermal processes and mechanical processes can create impurities. Also, low temperature processes that are used with specific mechanical or chemical steps can generate impurities as well. Hence, the ideal outcome can only be achieved with a combination of thermal, chemical or metallurgical steps [29, 61]. Once materials can be recovered without impurities, then they will have a higher market value, which is one of the main obstacles to the growth of the PV recycling industry with the current technologies.

An overview of possible thin-film recycling processes is show in Table 2.

The large-scale recycling of thin-film PV modules is well advanced and, as well as the Si solar cells, thin-film PV modules are currently processed and recycled using a combination of mechanical and chemical treatments to achieve meaningful outcomes.


Table 1. Silicon solar modules recycling processes.

processes using mechanical and chemical treatment to recycle solar cells [47]. The first step is to crush and separate the materials mechanically. In the next stage, they use chemical treatment to recover the semiconductor metals. After that, the aluminum metallisation is also recovered and can be used for producing wastewater treatment chemicals as aluminum oxide

Reclaim PV has teamed up with major solar module manufacturers who distribute in Australia and is refining its processes. The company is developing a process of reclaiming efficient cells from damaged solar modules. Their cell recycling system is able to extract efficient components (but not unbroken cells) from end-of-life solar modules in order to develop new green

Table 1 summarizes the recycling possibilities for silicon solar modules, as well as the advan-

Studies show that the impurity levels are an important issue during the recycling processes. For example, high temperature thermal processes and mechanical processes can create impurities. Also, low temperature processes that are used with specific mechanical or chemical steps can generate impurities as well. Hence, the ideal outcome can only be achieved with a combination of thermal, chemical or metallurgical steps [29, 61]. Once materials can be recovered without impurities, then they will have a higher market value, which is one of the main

The large-scale recycling of thin-film PV modules is well advanced and, as well as the Si solar cells, thin-film PV modules are currently processed and recycled using a combination of

obstacles to the growth of the PV recycling industry with the current technologies.

An overview of possible thin-film recycling processes is show in Table 2.

mechanical and chemical treatments to achieve meaningful outcomes.

products or be reintroduced into the PV industry as new solar modules [48].

4. Photovoltaic recycling technologies studied worldwide

[47]. The summary of these processes is shown in Figure 10.

Figure 10. Summary of loser Chemie recycling process for PV modules (pilot project).

tages and disadvantages of each process.

18 Solar Panels and Photovoltaic Materials


An environmental study made for the European Full Recovery End-of-Life Photovoltaic (FRELP) project showed that environmental impacts from c-Si recycling processes come from plastic incineration and some chemical and mechanical treatments (sieving, acid leaching,

A Review of Recycling Processes for Photovoltaic Modules

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

21

Additionally, before the recycled silicon from solar cells can be used again, further chemical treatment is necessary, as well as for silver and aluminum. The chemical treatments have the potential of producing environmental impacts. Besides that, it is important to note that no process can recycle 100% of recovered materials from solar modules

Nevertheless, for the PV Cycle [25] c-Si recycling process it was shown that there is a significant decrease in Global Warming Potential impacts (up to 20% compared to the process of making cells) [66] and for CdTe modules, there is and environmental benefit from the glass and

When comparing c-Si recycling and landfill EoL scenarios it was found that the environmental impacts from the recycling process are lower than for landfill, assuming that the recycled resources go back to the PV cells and modules manufacturing. These results considered that the recycling process involving dismantling, remelting, thermal and chemical treat-

It can be seen that there are opportunities and challenges related to PV recycling processes. Although it was already show that there are environmental benefits, the recycling methods still need to improve in order to achieve better recovery rates and work on the transportation

The recovery of valuable materials during the recycling of PV modules can have great economical value. The extraction of secondary raw material from EoL PV modules, if made in an

Attention has been paid particularly to silver. PV modules that reach their EoL will build up a large stock of embodied raw materials (as mentioned previously), which can be recovered and become available for other uses or even for solar cells again. However, this will not occur

The ITRPV predicts that, by 2030, the total material value recovered from PV recycling can reach USD 450 million. With this amount it is possible to produce 60 million PV modules (18 GW), which would be approximately 33% of the 2015 production [7]. Considering Si, up to 30,000 t of silicon can theoretically be recovered in 2030 [7], which is the amount of silicon needed to produce approximately 45 million new modules. Considering a polysilicon current prices at USD 20/kg and a recovery rate from commercial recycling processes of 70% this is

efficient way, can make them available to the market again [68].

before 2025, according to some forecasts [68].

equivalent to USD 380 million [7].

electrolysis, and neutralization) for the recovery of metals [65].

yet [28].

ments [28].

issues.

copper recycling [67].

6. Economic aspects

Table 2. Thin-film solar modules recycling processes.
