Recycling of Solar Panels and Thin Film PV
Recycling PV Products is a Challenge that Requires Planning
According to the U.S. Department of Energy "PV systems are widely dispersed, and because each system has relatively small amounts of semiconductor material per cell, recycling PV will be a challenging task." Solar panels generally have a lifespan of about 20-25 years, so the real challenges in dealing with spent panels have yet to begin.
There are varying semiconductor materials used in thin film PV and solar panel products. The materials affect the performance of solar PV in several ways, including conversion efficiency and life expectancy. These two factors, coupled with the ability to be manufactured cheaply, are likely to be the determining factors in which solar PV technology comes to dominate the market. A problem with these semiconductors is they cause specific recycling techniques to be needed for solar PV products.
What is being done to ensure Solar PV products will be recycled?
Europe
Energyportal.eu reports a study commissioned by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) shows that 'by 2030 about 130,000 tonnes of end-of-life PV modules will be disposed of in Europe." The first International Conference on PV Module Recycling was held in January of 2010. It was collaboration between the EPIA, PVCYCLE and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC). Recycling techniques for all solar PV technologies and semiconductor types were discussed, along with costs and future EU recycling plans. This is an indication that the industry is taking the issue seriously.
PV CYCLE is a scheme to take back and recycle solar panels and thin film PV. According to the association's website, their objective is to "recycle 85% of the module mass, attained in a staggered approach." They hope to get an agreement signed with the European Commission so the program will be standard throughout the EU. Parallels can be drawn between this solar PV scheme and the EU's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) that facilitates the recycling of electronics.
United States
Individual states are beginning to deal with electronic waste, yet there is no cohesive plan to deal with it. If the U.S. is to be a leader in solar PV it will have to address the recycling of solar panels and thin film PV. Solar panels on every roof could be a good thing or another environmental disaster without proper planning.
References: DOE:
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/solar/panel_disposal.html
Energyportal.eu:
Published by Don A Shepard
Don writes for numerous online sources while conducting research for a Master's in Natural Resources/Environmental Management. He enjoys working on his urban homestead with his family, outdoor activities, mo... View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentDon... I hope they make solar panels better than what was on our roof to heat our pool. Within 2 years, they were ruining our roof and we had to remove them. Well, I guess our panels were different because they had water pipes running along them. Great article though, and fantastically written. Great job.
Hi L.B. "All" semiconductor typese are not hazardous. Although the most thing film conductors gettng the best efficiency rates are mulitijunciton conductors like copper indium gallium selenide. Copper, of course, has a wide range of ill health effects when in our water. Indium is rare (causing another issue for mass production) but it is treated as highly toxic by labs because is believed to be harmful to lungs, kidneys, etc. Gallium is believed to emit toxic fumes when exposed to high temps and other nasty things. In general introducing metals into the environment where they previously were not, always causes problems. The trick is to not allow them into the soil, air and water. There are organic cells, that be develop some day but efficiency too low right now.
Another interesting piece Don. Were you able to find out what specifically are the hazardous waste by-products for "all solar PV technologies and semiconductor types"? Thanks.
You make a good point. It seems someone needs to study how solar panels can be easily disposed of before making a bunch of them for everybody's home. Good article.