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Landfill waste and recycling: Use of a screening-level risk assessment tool for end-of-life cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels

Author

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  • Cyrs, William D.
  • Avens, Heather J.
  • Capshaw, Zachary A.
  • Kingsbury, Robert A.
  • Sahmel, Jennifer
  • Tvermoes, Brooke E.

Abstract

Grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power is currently one of the fastest growing power-generation technologies in the world. While PV technologies provide the environmental benefit of zero emissions during use, the use of heavy metals in thin-film PV cells raises important health and environmental concerns regarding the end-of-life disposal of PV panels. To date, there is no published quantitative assessment of the potential human health risk due to cadmium leaching from cadmium telluride (CdTe) PV panels disposed in a landfill. Thus, we used a screening-level risk assessment tool to estimate possible human health risk associated with disposal of CdTe panels into landfills. In addition, we conducted a literature review of potential cadmium release from the recycling process in order to contrast the potential health risks from PV panel disposal in landfills to those from PV panel recycling. Based on the results of our literature review, a meaningful risk comparison cannot be performed at this time. Based on the human health risk estimates generated for PV panel disposal, our assessment indicated that landfill disposal of CdTe panels does not pose a human health hazard at current production volumes, although our results pointed to the importance of CdTe PV panel end-of-life management.

Suggested Citation

  • Cyrs, William D. & Avens, Heather J. & Capshaw, Zachary A. & Kingsbury, Robert A. & Sahmel, Jennifer & Tvermoes, Brooke E., 2014. "Landfill waste and recycling: Use of a screening-level risk assessment tool for end-of-life cadmium telluride (CdTe) thin-film photovoltaic (PV) panels," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 524-533.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:68:y:2014:i:c:p:524-533
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2014.01.025
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fthenakis, Vasilis M., 2004. "Life cycle impact analysis of cadmium in CdTe PV production," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 8(4), pages 303-334, August.
    2. Baumann, A.E. & Hynes, K.M. & Hill, R., 1995. "An investigation of cadmium telluride thin-film PV modules by impact pathway analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 6(5), pages 593-599.
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    5. Sinha, Parikhit & Kriegner, Christopher J. & Schew, William A. & Kaczmar, Swiatoslav W. & Traister, Matthew & Wilson, David J., 2008. "Regulatory policy governing cadmium-telluride photovoltaics: A case study contrasting life cycle management with the precautionary principle," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 36(1), pages 381-387, January.
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    Cited by:

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    4. Ornella Malandrino & Daniela Sica & Mario Testa & Stefania Supino, 2017. "Policies and Measures for Sustainable Management of Solar Panel End-of-Life in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-15, March.
    5. Fthenakis, Vasilis & Athias, Clement & Blumenthal, Alyssa & Kulur, Aylin & Magliozzo, Julia & Ng, David, 2020. "Sustainability evaluation of CdTe PV: An update," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    6. Cucchiella, Federica & D׳Adamo, Idiano & Rosa, Paolo, 2015. "End-of-Life of used photovoltaic modules: A financial analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 552-561.
    7. Armaghan Chizaryfard & Paolo Trucco & Cali Nuur, 2021. "The transformation to a circular economy: framing an evolutionary view," Journal of Evolutionary Economics, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 475-504, April.
    8. Sampaio, Priscila Gonçalves Vasconcelos & González, Mario Orestes Aguirre, 2017. "Photovoltaic solar energy: Conceptual framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 590-601.
    9. Nain, Preeti & Kumar, Arun, 2020. "Understanding the possibility of material release from end-of-life solar modules: A study based on literature review and survey analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 903-918.
    10. Nain, Preeti & Kumar, Arun, 2020. "Initial metal contents and leaching rate constants of metals leached from end-of-life solar photovoltaic waste: An integrative literature review and analysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).

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