Recycling of Crystalline Silicon (c-Si) Photovoltaic (PV) Solar Module: a Review
Abstract
This review is an overview of the step-wise recycling of crystalline silicon (c-Si) PV modules after End- of-life (EOL) using mechanical, thermal, and chemical routes. Aluminium frames, cables & junction boxes were removed from modules mechanically before further recycling. Encapsulated EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) & backsheet polymers were primarily removed from the module by chemical route or thermal pyrolysis. As reported works of literature, pyrolysis of modules is the most efficient, faster, and less hazardous than chemical processes. After that, they recycled solar cells to recover high-value materials such as Ag, Al, and Si from waste PV cells via a chemical route to facilitate sustainable development for PV industries.
Keywords
Photovoltaic (pv) module, Recycling, C-si, Solar cells