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Development and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Advanced Recycling Process for Photovoltaic Panels Enabling Polymer Separation and Recovery of Ag and Si

Author

Listed:
  • Antonio Rubino

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy)

  • Giuseppe Granata

    (Intelligen, Inc., 2326 Morse Avenue, Scotch Plains, NJ 07076, USA)

  • Emanuela Moscardini

    (Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy)

  • Ludovica Baldassari

    (Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy)

  • Pietro Altimari

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy)

  • Luigi Toro

    (Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy)

  • Francesca Pagnanelli

    (Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
    Eco Recycling Srl, Via di Vannina 88/94, 00156 Roma, Italy)

Abstract

Photovoltaic panels were included in EU Directive as WEEE (Wastes of Electric and Electronic Equipment) requiring the implementation of dedicated collection schemes and end-of-life treatment ensuring targets in terms of recycling rate (80%) and recovery rate (85%). Photovoltaic panels are mainly made up of high-quality solar glass (70–90%), but also metals are present in the frames (Al), the cell (Si), and metallic contacts (Cu and Ag). According to the panel composition, about $72 per 100 kg of panels can be recovered by entirely recycling the panel metal content. The PhotoLife process for the treatment of end-of-life photovoltaic panels was demonstrated at pilot scale to recycle high value glass, Al and Cu scraps. A process upgrade is here reported allowing for polymer separation and Ag and Si recycling. By this advanced PhotoLife process, 82% recycling rate, 94% recovery rate, and 75% recoverable value were attained. Simulations demonstrated the economic feasibility of the process at processing capacity of 30,000 metric ton/y of end-of-life photovoltaic panels.

Suggested Citation

  • Antonio Rubino & Giuseppe Granata & Emanuela Moscardini & Ludovica Baldassari & Pietro Altimari & Luigi Toro & Francesca Pagnanelli, 2020. "Development and Techno-Economic Analysis of an Advanced Recycling Process for Photovoltaic Panels Enabling Polymer Separation and Recovery of Ag and Si," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-17, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:24:p:6690-:d:464292
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Marina Monteiro Lunardi & Juan Pablo Alvarez-Gaitan & Jose I. Bilbao & Richard Corkish, 2018. "A Review of Recycling Processes for Photovoltaic Modules," Chapters, in: Beddiaf Zaidi (ed.), Solar Panels and Photovoltaic Materials, IntechOpen.
    2. Gerbinet, Saïcha & Belboom, Sandra & Léonard, Angélique, 2014. "Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of photovoltaic panels: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 38(C), pages 747-753.
    3. Paiano, Annarita, 2015. "Photovoltaic waste assessment in Italy," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 99-112.
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    1. Flavia Carla dos Santos Martins Padoan & Pier Giorgio Schiavi & Gianmaria Belardi & Pietro Altimari & Antonio Rubino & Francesca Pagnanelli, 2021. "Material Flux through an Innovative Recycling Process Treating Different Types of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels: Demonstration at Pilot Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Iliana Papamichael & Irene Voukkali & Mejdi Jeguirim & Nikolaos Argirusis & Salah Jellali & Georgia Sourkouni & Christos Argirusis & Antonis A. Zorpas, 2022. "End-of-Life Management and Recycling on PV Solar Energy Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-5, September.

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