End-of-life photovoltaic modules: A systematic quantitative literature review

Mahmoudi, Sajjad; Huda, Nazmul; Alavi, Zahraossadat; Islam, Tasbirul; Behnia, Masud

doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2019.03.018

Cited by 156 publications

(43 citation statements)

References 81 publications

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“…Under the broad e-waste product-focused studies, waste solar PV was found to have relatively less attention from the researchers (Islam and Huda, 2018a, 2019b). This was further confirmed by a recent review article published by Mahmoudi et al (2019a) on waste solar PV panels, who found that globally, only four papers were published on the waste solar panel-related network design. Choi and Fthenakis (2010) proposed mathematic modelling of the economic feasibility and the environmental viability of solar PV waste in Germany.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Reverse logistics network design for waste solar photovoltaic panels: A case study of New South Wales councils in Australia

2020

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Waste solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are considered as one of the fastest-growing future waste streams under the category of large electronic waste (e-waste). The lifespan of solar panels varies from 20 to 30 years, and an appropriate reverse logistics network design is essential to manage the waste stream efficiently once their lifetime expires. Mixed-integer programming-based RL model is proposed in this paper for New South Wales, Australia that minimizes the overall cost by identifying optimal locations and sizing of the collection points while determining optimal capacities for recycling facilities. Using the historical data (2001–2017) on the installed capacity of solar panels in the state, the potential waste generation (at council-level) is estimated and optimized solutions are proposed for the year 2047. The results of the study show that the highest waste solar PV will be generated at Murrumbidgee, Berrigan, Balranald, and Bogan councils. Out of 129 councils in the state, the model identifies 78 optimized-locations of the collection points that would be required in the councils. In the councils of Newcastle, Narrandera and Wagga Wagga, three major recycling facilities would need to be established. This is the first systematic attempt in designing an optimized RL network in Australia focusing on waste solar PV. Policy-makers will find this research highly valuable in decision-making on local recycling infrastructure development.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Reverse logistics network design for waste solar photovoltaic panels: A case study of New South Wales councils in Australia

2020

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“…Critical recycling challenges are, e.g., the reduction of gas emissions and temperature during the delamination process, decreasing of chemicals utilisation and chemical waste production and achieving a high level of purification. The authors note that end-of-life studies are mostly conducted in laboratory settings and that results are lacking for forecasts of PV waste streams, suitable recycling technologies and waste logistics and policies [80]. A further EoL review study also included battery storage systems.…”

Section: The State Of the Art Recycling Technology For Photovoltaic Mmentioning

confidence: 99%

Market development and consequences on end-of-life management of photovoltaic implementation in Europe

Franz

Piringer

2020

Energ Sustain Soc

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Background: The 2018 European Renewables Directive sets a binding target of 32% of renewable energy generation by 2030. Free-field photovoltaic plants are characterised by significant land use and material flows. Although country-level data on installed power is available, information about the spatial distribution of PV plants is rare. When the first photovoltaic systems will reach their end-of-life on a large scale in 2035, economic, technological and ecological challenges will arise. Methods: The study explores the market development of photovoltaic power in the EU countries from 2008 to 2017 by preparing statistical data and Google mapping of free-field PV plants. Different approaches to assessing the land use of free-field PV systems compared to other energy systems are investigated. A comprehensive literature review addresses key issues of PV module waste treatment, hazardous constituents and their leakage in case of module breakage as well as financial issues of decommissioning and recycling and re-use of used modules. Results: Most of the European PV electrical energy is generated by approximately 17,000 widely distributed freefield plants predominantly installed in lowlands. A local in-depth study shows that roof-top plants contribute less than 5% to the total PV energy generation in an area without extensive expansion to industrial buildings. Small amounts of hazardous substances that are typically present in PV modules are unlikely to affect the environment during normal operation of the system, but the question of leakage from broken end-of-life modules is not sufficiently clarified. While in the EU, the recycling and disposal costs are covered by producer fees and expected raw material profits; the financing of the decommissioning of thousands of PV free-field plants is still an open issue. Conclusions: The land use of free-field PV systems should be analysed in more detail. Concerning hazardous substances, there seems to be an emerging consensus in literature that the leaching behaviour of metals from broken PV module pieces is inadequately simulated by current waste characterisation protocols. It is recommended to pay greater attention to financing the decommissioning of free-field commercial and industrial scale PV systems.

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“…Zhang & Xu (2016) emphasized the importance of the analysis of factors such as: investment cost, wastewater generation, level of method industrialization, degree of toxicity of the materials used, and accessibility of these materials. Mahmoudi et al (2019) also said that to develop and scale up the current photovoltaic panel recycling, it is necessary to reduce the gas emission and temperature during the delamination process. This could be done by choosing a proper mixing ratio for the etching process, decrease the use of chemicals and its wastes production, and achieve a high level of purification.…”

Section: Step 5 -Silver Recovery By Precipitationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Silver Recovery From End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels

et al. 2020

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The growth of the photovoltaic sector has stood out among renewable sources of energy, due to technological innovations that have brought about cost reductions. Thus, this paper aimed to analyze the technical feasibility of silver recovery from photovoltaic cells using acid leaching, followed by an evaluation of the chemical and electrochemical precipitation processes to analyze their efficiencies. As a primary objective of this work, the gravimetric composition and the metal concentration (Ag, Al, Pb, Cu, and Fe) in the photovoltaic cells were first determined, developing the basis for future research on photovoltaic panels recycling Subsequently, the influence of HNO3 concentration (1-10 mol/L), temperature (25-60ºC), and reaction time were evaluated. A new research application used a statistical tool, the Central Composite Rotational Design (CCRD), as well as samples of different brands and models of photovoltaic panels, in order to ensure the experimental validity. As a highlight, the analysis of the composition of the photovoltaic cells, applying the HNO2CO3, as well as electroprecipitation, made it possible to extract more than 99% of silver in solution, being a primary novelty of this study. Therefore, the studied pathway allowed for the recovery of 99.98% of the silver present in the photovoltaic cells.

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End-of-life photovoltaic modules: A systematic quantitative literature review

Cited by 156 publications

References 81 publications

Reverse logistics network design for waste solar photovoltaic panels: A case study of New South Wales councils in Australia

Reverse logistics network design for waste solar photovoltaic panels: A case study of New South Wales councils in Australia

Market development and consequences on end-of-life management of photovoltaic implementation in Europe

Silver Recovery From End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels

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