Silicon raw materials for photovoltaic panels

Can crystalline-silicon photovoltaic panels be recycled?

The recyclable fractions can be used for the production of secondary raw materials, thereby allowing relevant benefits in terms of substitution of primary raw materials. This present report focuses on the recycling of crystalline-silicon photovoltaic panels which still dominate the present market.

What materials can be recycled for photovoltaic panels?

In the case of aluminium, copper and silver, the expected recovered/recycled materials are assumed to substitute primary materials. The recovered solar glass is assumed to be down-cycled into glass for packaging; electronic-grade silicon metal used in photovoltaic panels is assumed to be recovered as MG silicon metal with lower purity.

Can thin-film silicon photovoltaics be used for solar energy?

The ability to engineer efficient silicon solar cells using a-Si:H layers was demonstrated in the early 1990s 113, 114. Many research laboratories with expertise in thin-film silicon photovoltaics joined the effort in the past 15 years, following the decline of this technology for large-scale energy production.

Are silicon-based photovoltaic panels a Socioenvironmental threat to the biosphere?

Mass installation of silicon-based photovoltaic (PV) panels exhibited a socioenvironmental threat to the biosphere, i.e., the electronic waste (e-waste) from PV panels that is projected to reach 78 million tonnes by the year 2050.

What are the environmental costs associated with silicon flows used in solar PV?

Data are available in Supplementary Information (#5). The environmental costs associated with silicon flows used in solar PV manufacturing include factors such as energy consumption, water usage, emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, as well as the impact on local ecosystems and communities.

Can recycled silicon feedstocks be used to make solar cells?

Draoua, A. D. et al. On the fabrication of solar cells based on newly produced recycled silicon feedstocks from Cabriss – a comparative study between material properties and solar cells performances. In Proc. 33 rd European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference 483–487 (WIP Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur GmbH & Co Planungs-KG, 2017).