How to recycle waste solar photovoltaic panels?

When it comes to renewable energy, many people's first reaction is to protect the environment, clean, low-carbon, and green. As everyone knows, although the use of renewable energy is harmless to the environment, the conversion of solar energy, wind energy, and water energy into electrical energy has little harm to the environment, but the equipment that converts renewable energy into electrical energy may pollute the environment. At present, the recycling of solar panels has become a hot issue in the industry.

Solar Panel Structure

The theoretical lifespan of a solar panel is about 30-40 years, but the wind, sun, and daily wear and tear during decades of use will accelerate the aging of the solar panel, and the actual lifespan is 20-25 years. It is estimated that in 2030, the global waste solar panels will be 8 million tons, and in 2050 it will reach 80 million tons. When the currently used solar panels enter the end-of-life stage, how to deal with the huge amount of harmful materials will become a major issue in environmental protection.

The complexity of photovoltaic recycling actually depends on the composition of the solar panel modules, which are usually constructed of different materials: a layer of tempered glass on the surface, silicon solar cells that convert solar energy into electricity, and a backsheet at the back. Both sides of the solar cell are also coated with an additional coating, usually consisting of a J-adhesive film (ethylene-ethylene-acetate or EVA), which joins the different components together and protects them from external environmental conditions.

Solar Panel Recycling Process

Secondly, the recycling and reuse of waste photovoltaic modules can give birth to new industrial forms and create more employment value. Judging from the current recycling process of waste photovoltaic modules in Europe, the entire operation and management process of waste photovoltaic module treatment includes collection, registration, transportation, recycling, recycling, etc., and each link requires a large number of personnel to participate, especially recycling. The link needs more professional recycling technicians. Therefore, the recycling of waste photovoltaic modules can give birth to new industrial forms and create more employment value.

The recycling path of waste photovoltaic modules is the same as the recycling path of waste lithium batteries. It is marketed in the form of recycled metals. The glass of waste photovoltaic panels can be removed, and the frame can be disassembled. The battery bar can be crushed and sorted, copper, Silver, silicon metal can be separated.

Furthermore, the recycling and reuse of waste photovoltaic modules is conducive to the realization of the green development of photovoltaic integrated solutions and thus promotes the sustainable development of the solar energy industry.

New energy industry is the main connotation and important support of low-carbon development and green economy, while low-carbon development and green economy are the driving force of new energy industry, and the two complement each other. Therefore, only by using the waste photovoltaic panel crushing equipment line to do a good job in the photovoltaic industry chain - the recycling of waste photovoltaic modules, can the photovoltaic industry be green and pollution-free from the source to the terminal, thereby promoting the sustainable development of the solar energy industry.