Solar photovoltaic recycling strategies

• Published in: Solar energy 2024-03, Vol.270, p.112379, Article 112379
• Main Authors: Ngagoum Ndalloka, Zita, Vijayakumar Nair, Harigovind, Alpert, Samuel, Schmid, Cordula
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Solar panels; Solar PV recycling; Waste management
• ISSN: 0038-092X; 1471-1257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.solener.2024.112379

Solar Photovoltaics (PV) is a vital source of energy in meeting the world’s increasing energy needs. It is abundant, clean, environmentally friendly, and becoming cheaper and more efficient with increased research. Consequently, there is a notable increase in solar panel installations worldwide. Considering the average lifetime of solar panels of about 25 years, and increasing installation capacity, they will contribute to a considerable percentage of waste generation if no appropriate PV waste management solutions are deployed. To anticipate the quantity of PV waste generated in the next few years, some researchers and companies in solar energy have, in the past decade focused on developing efficient PV recycling and management strategies. To recover high purity PV elements, strengthen the supply chain and foster a circular economy, environmentally friendly and proper treatment of these panels is mandatory. First, this paper presents and analyzes the different policies surrounding PV recycling in different countries of the world. Secondly, it reviews existing recycling strategies of different solar panels such as crystalline solar panels, thin film, Organic solar cells, Gallium Arsenide (GaAs), Perovskite and Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSC). Thirdly, it describes the different steps performed at each process of the recycling chain, and lastly, discusses the economic and environmental analysis of the recycled elements, and recommends policies for effective PV panel recycling. PV recycling can reduce waste and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions. This review informs companies and researchers who are active in solar PV recycling.