Economics and impact of recycling solar waste materials on the environment and health care

• Published in: Environmental technology & innovation 2020-11, Vol.20, p.101130, Article 101130
• Main Authors: Venkatachary, Sampath Kumar, Samikannu, Ravi, Murugesan, Srinivasan, Dasari, Narasimha Rao, Subramaniyam, Ragupathy Uthandipalayam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Economics; End of Life (EoL); Environmental; Policies; Solar PV; Waste
• ISSN: 2352-1864; 2352-1864
• DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2020.101130

The growth of the renewable energy sector with solar energy resources playing a pivotal role, the proliferation of waste generated from the industry is a cause for concern. Globally the installed solar capacity is over 500 GW and is expected to rise further to 5000 GW by 2050. This phenomenal growth is expected to generate huge solar waste of up to 15% given the anticipated life span of 25 years. While the recent trends in solar research are aimed at improving little efficiency importance​ is given to waste disposal of dismantled solar power panels. Though recycling is an option, few companies are capable of handling recycling efficiently. To address this problem while ensuring environmental conservation and resource availability & recycling, the technologies adopted in the field are discussed and reviewed in this article. By 2050 60 million tons of solar waste will be there if it is not recycled properly. There view provides an in-depth assessment and the various technical aspects of the solar panel waste recycling and recovery, environmental protection, waste management. The economics of solar power recycling, impact on health and environmental and policies are discussed to ensure feasible and non-toxic technology for further development. [Display omitted] •Solar waste up to 15% with an anticipated life span of 25 years.•In 2050 an amount of 60 million tons of solar waste should be recycled properly.•To reduce, recycle and reuse of PV materials to compensate the supply shortage risks of semiconductors and the rising costs of Si.•Feasible process for separation of modules by using the process like electrophoresis, centrifugation is used.•To achieve environmental conservation and resource availability & recycling, the technologies are adopted and used.