Waste photovoltaic panel refining equipment

Can photovoltaic modules be recycled?

Photovoltaic (PV) modules contain both valuable and hazardous materials, which makes their recycling meaningful economically and environmentally. The recycling of the waste of PV modules is being studied and implemented in several countries.

What is the recycling process of a PV module?

Recycling process The end-of-life PV module (Fig. 16) was collected and cleaned using water and allowed to dry. The spent modules consist of a junction box, cables, a back sheet, an aluminum frame, tempered glass, semiconducting material and polymers , , .

How is photovoltaic waste treated in India?

India recycling regulations: As of now, India lacks specific rules and regulations dedicated to the management of photovoltaic (PV) panel waste, and it is currently treated under general waste regulations (Preet et al., 2023).

Which companies recycle solar photovoltaics?

First Solar, a U.S.-based manufacturer, has established recycling facilities globally (Kant and Singh, 2022; Cui et al., 2022; Nain and Kumar, 2022). China recycling regulation: China, a major player in the solar photovoltaic market, has witnessed substantial growth in manufacturing and deployment.

How much does it cost to recycle silicon PV panels?

8.1. Technical challenges Cost of Recycling: The primary challenge is the high cost of recycling silicon PV panels, estimated to be around $600–1000 per ton (excluding material revenue) (Heath et al., 2020). Lowering this cost to $300–400 per ton is essential for making the recycling process economically viable (Deng et al., 2019).

Can PV module waste be recycled?

However, efforts have been made to encourage proper disposal and recycling of PV module waste through amendments to the law on renewable energy under the “Act on the Promotion of the Development, Use, and Diffusion of New and Renewable Energy” (Kim et al., 2014).