The efficiency of recycling bifacial solar modules is significantly higher compared to that of monofacial modules, primarily due to innovations in recycling technology tailored specifically for bifacial panels.
Key points on bifacial module recycling efficiency:
- SolarPanelRecycling.com (SPR) has developed the first automated bifacial solar panel recycling line in the United States that achieves clean glass separation recovery rates of 99% or higher. This is a marked improvement over traditional monofacial module recycling processes.
- Traditional recycling lines designed for monofacial modules often have lower glass recovery rates and require more manual labor when processing bifacial modules. These older lines tend to shred whole panels, commingling materials like silicon, glass, metals, and plastics into unusable mixtures, which reduces the efficiency and quality of material recovery.
- In contrast, SPR’s dedicated bifacial recycling line cleanly separates all components of the panels, allowing each material to be returned effectively to the manufacturing supply chain. This approach minimizes waste and supports a circular economy by producing higher quality recycled materials.
- Bifacial modules are growing rapidly in market share, expected to account for over 70% of the global solar market by 2033, making advances in their recycling critical for sustainability and cost-efficiency in the solar industry.
Summary comparison:
| Recycling Aspect | Monofacial Modules Recycling | Bifacial Modules Recycling |
|---|---|---|
| Glass recovery rate | Lower, less efficient (manual labor involved) | Very high (99% or higher), automated process |
| Separation quality of materials | Often commingled, reducing reuse potential | Clean separation, enabling full reuse |
| Recycling process | Typically shreds whole panels | Proprietary line designed specifically for bifacial panels |
| Waste and environmental impact | Higher due to mixed unusable waste | Lower due to efficient separate recovery |
| Market growth relevance | Declining as bifacial rises | Increasing importance due to market growth |
Overall, the efficiency and recovery rates of bifacial module recycling surpass those of monofacial module recycling, driven by specialized automated technology that enhances material separation and reuse, thereby supporting a more sustainable and circular solar industry.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/how-does-the-efficiency-of-bifacial-module-recycling-compare-to-monofacial-modules/
