Back EVA recycling from c-Si photovoltaic module without damaging solar cell via laser irradiation followed by mechanical peeling

Li, Xiaotong; Liu, Huan; You, Jiachuan; Diao, Hongwei; Zhao, Lei; Wang, Wenjing

doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2021.11.024

Cited by 50 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…The tab of the cell to be connected to the new bus bar is fluxed to re-solder the bus bar, removed from the hot plate, and cooled to room temperature. In a previous study, a study found that there was no damage to the cell and 1st EVA when the back sheet was peeled off from the back using a laser [54].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Simplified Recovery Process for Resistive Solder Bond (RSB) Hotspots Caused by Poor Soldering of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules Using Resin

Lee

Cho

et al. 2022

Energies

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When the thickness of the solar cell wafer and the amount of Ag to be used decreases, it is the best method to recover the power of the module after use at a minimum cost and reuse the module itself. Economic recovery technology can be applied to the power degradation, caused by the resistive solder bond (RSB) hotspot by poor soldering, because the recovery process can be simplified compared to the power loss that is often greater than 30%. This study demonstrated a quick recovery of the RSB hotspot with on-site recovery technology applied with resin and verified the performance and long-term reliability of on-site recovery technology, compared to the factory recovery method, where the back sheet is removed and laminated to recover the module. Both the factory and field recovery methods confirmed recovery results closer to the initial rated power output of the samples. Each sample was degraded by the RSB hotspot to ~62–65% of the initial power output, and the recovery process successfully recovered it to ~96–99%. In on-site recovery, verification of the possible EVA solvothermal swelling, which is the effect of organic solvents contained in the resin on EVA, is essential for verifying the long-term reliability of the recovered module. In this study, the power degradations of the on-site recovered samples after a TC 200 cycle test are −2.14% and −0.95%, respectively, which are within the certification test standard of the new manufacturing module. Existing factory recovery costs not only in the recovery process, but also in a total of 22 stages, such as the transfer of the target module. The largest advantage is that the on-site recovery process can be restarted in the field after only eight stages.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 97%

Simplified Recovery Process for Resistive Solder Bond (RSB) Hotspots Caused by Poor Soldering of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules Using Resin

Lee

Cho

et al. 2022

Energies

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“…The rear metal electrodes absorbed the radiations and caused the temperature to rise across the cell/EVA interface; however, the front EVA was not removed. 2 High voltage fragmentation (HVF) involving discharging across the surfaces and interiors of PV panels (Al electrode and Si substrate) may be advantageous due to higher crushing selectivity (metal concentration in specific size fraction), no minimal dust release to the environment, and higher purity Si production. 68 A two-step HVF is an effective method for the separation of glass in a 45−850 μm size class (glass distribution ratio:85%) with base metals (Cu, Sn, Pb) concentrated in a coarser fraction (1−8 mm).…”

Section: Toxicity Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Glass (high transmittance and tempered) is the largest contributor (68–92 wt %) by weight in all PV types. An ethyl vinyl acetate layer (EVA) is a transparent polymeric adhesive layer consisting of a mixture of ethylene and ethyl vinyl acetate and is used in both c-Si (7 wt %) and CdTe (4 wt %) panels . The EVA thickness varies between 300 and 450 μm (∼16.74% of PV module thickness) and occupies ∼5.8 wt % of the total solar cell …”

Section: Solar Cell: Types and Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overall, the major challenges are (a) low recycling rates, (b) low material recovery rates and profits, and (c) product reuse limited by lack of awareness . The studies on the recovery and recycling of EVA should be carried out systematically as it occupies ∼5.8 wt % of the total solar cell . The production cost of a solar cell is determined by the thickness of the Si wafer (200–300 μm) and accounts for more than 50% of the module cost, thus indicating that Si recovery is important for the reduction of production costs.…”

Section: Challenges Gaps and Perspectivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Given tremendous advancements in renewable energy sources, photovoltaic (PV) energy has emerged as a reliable and third most used renewable energy source. It is forecasted that energy generated from PV modules may surpass all other energy sources and is expected to exceed 8500 GW by 2050. , The large area installation and reduced prices for solar energy have promoted the growth of solar panels, which subsequently generate end-of-life (EoL) waste (60–78 million tonnes (Mt) by 2050) . When the PV module reaches 80% of efficiency, it is referred to as an end-of-life (EoL) PV module .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Recycling of Discarded Photovoltaic Solar Modules for Metal Recovery: A Review and Outlook for the Future

2022

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The extensive deployment of photovoltaic (PV) modules at an expeditious rate worldwide leads to a massive generation of solar waste (60–78 million tonnes by 2050). A stringent recycling effort to recover metal resources from end-of-life PVs is required for resource recovery, circular economy, and subsequent reduction of environmental impact. The recovery of metallic resources (silicon, silver, copper, lead, and tin) from the first-generation PVs and critical elements (tellurium, indium, selenium, and gallium) from second-generation PVs are mainly targeted. This review systematically discusses the recycling literature of both generations of solar cells, market value calculations, recycling preferences, global trends, and the Indian perspective. The status of PV module recycling on a commercial scale and academic research efforts are discussed. The review systematically discusses the various possible pretreatments and extraction/refining processes. The pretreatments (physical, chemical, thermal, and hybrid processes) play a decisive role in up-gradation, impurity removal, and metal recovery. The challenges include homogeneous collection, process efficiency, holistic resource recovery, and energy considerations. Toxicity characteristics of both generations, life cycle assessment studies, recycling challenges with proposed flowsheets, and a detailed future outlook are propounded to develop a holistic metal recovery approach. In comparison, crystalline Si PVs comprise the maximum economic value. One tonne of mixed PVs (first and second generation) can yield ∼9.32 kg of Cu, ∼0.30 kg of Ag, ∼33.48 kg of Si, ∼1.12 kg of Sn, ∼1.12 kg of Pb, ∼4.9 g of Cd, ∼2.5 g of Te, and ∼3.4 g of In.

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Redox‐gesteuertes Entkleben von Muschel‐inspirierten Haftklebstoffen: Effizienzsteigerung durch funktionales Design

Neubert,

Walter,

Schröter

et al. 2024

Angewandte Chemie

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Debondable pressure‐sensitive adhesives (PSAs) promise access to recyclability in microelectronics in the transition toward a circular economy. Two PSAs were synthesized from a tetravalent thiol star‐polyester forming thiol‐catechol‐connectivities (TCC) with either biorelated DiDopa‐bisquinone (BY*Q) or fossil‐based bisquinone A (BQA). The PSAs enable debonding by oxidation of TCC‐catechols to quinones. The extent of debonding efficiency depends on the interaction modes, which are determined by the chemical structure differences of both TCC‐motifs. BY*Q‐TCC‐PSA debonds with exceptional loss of 99% of its approx. 2 MPa shear strength. For BQA‐TCC‐PSA, a debonding efficiency of only approx. 60% was found, irrespective of its initial shear strength, which could be tuned up to approx. 7 MPa. The efficiency of debonding for BY*Q‐TCC‐PSA after TCC‐oxidation is linked to the loss of synergistic interactions without strongly affecting the bulk glue properties, outperforming the purely catechol‐based BQA‐analogue.

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Back EVA recycling from c-Si photovoltaic module without damaging solar cell via laser irradiation followed by mechanical peeling

Cited by 50 publications

References 20 publications

Simplified Recovery Process for Resistive Solder Bond (RSB) Hotspots Caused by Poor Soldering of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules Using Resin

Simplified Recovery Process for Resistive Solder Bond (RSB) Hotspots Caused by Poor Soldering of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules Using Resin

Recycling of Discarded Photovoltaic Solar Modules for Metal Recovery: A Review and Outlook for the Future

Redox‐gesteuertes Entkleben von Muschel‐inspirierten Haftklebstoffen: Effizienzsteigerung durch funktionales Design

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