Conceptual Design of a Semi-Automatic Process Line for Recycling Photovoltaic Panels as a Way to Ecological Sustainable Production

Abstract

The article presents the developed technology for the comprehensive recycling of depleted, used or damaged photovoltaic (PV) cells made of crystalline silicon. The developed concepts of technology and the results of research on recycling were presented on silicon photovoltaic cells and modules. The sequence of steps and the type of procedures used are proposed. A thermal delamination method for used commercial photovoltaic modules has been developed to separate the materials. In addition, a recycling line was proposed along with the selection of machines and a holistic approach to project profitability based on a SWOT analysis. The presented semi-automatic installation enables recycling on a laboratory scale. The line was designed for the assumed capacity of 30 t/h. The total energy demand for the designed line was calculated, which showed that 16.49 kWh is needed to recycle 1 ton of photovoltaic laminates. Implementation of developed solutions on an industrial scale will allow to reduce production costs, mainly thanks to energy savings, which translates into less devastation of the natural environment and reduced material consumption. In addition, the implementation of the PV module recycling system will reduce and, consequently, eliminate a significant amount of used PV devices deposited in landfills. The content of the article gives a fresh and innovative look at the essence of photovoltaic panel recycling processes in terms of production benefits as well as financial and environmental benefits.

Economic potential of recovery and recycling of silicone photovoltaics cells and non-ferrous metals as part of the transition towards a circular economy

“…By 2050, this value is expected to increase to EURO 73 billion. For comparison, currently, this value is only 157 million euro (Niekurzak et al, 2023). Waste recycling is characterised by a unique business model in which both waste suppliers and recipients of post-waste products are the source of revenue.…”

“…In addition, the authors perform a SWOT analysis on the profitability of implementing a pilot production line for PV recycling. As the literature on the subject indicates (Glass et al, 2015;Niekurzak et al, 2023), the SWOT analysis is a tool for internal analysis of the company and its environment to optimise the company's management strategy or build a new strategic plan. The subject of the analysis can be both an organisation, a project or an investment, as well as any event in the scope of the organisation's activities.…”

“…Taking into account the legal, socio-economic and ecological conditions, the authors made a SWOT analysis (Table 4) regarding the profitability of the investment in the first PV recycling and utilisation plant in Poland (Niekurzak et al, 2023).…”

Recyclability and ecological-economic analysis of a simple photovoltaic panel

“…PV cells are connected and protected from the environment in PV modules, which are the fundamental components of PV systems. Therefore, the photovoltaic installation capacity would have reached 4500 GW by 2050 is of no surprise [6].…”

D-Limonene as a Promising Green Solvent for the Detachment of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Solar Panels under Sonication

“…Silicon solar panels are the most common type used globally, where about 90% of panels present in the market have the same composition [12]. As shown in Figure 1, the panel consists of five layers that are chemically bonded with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA).…”