The main challenges in recycling photovoltaic (PV) panels include:
Structural Complexity
PV panels are designed for durability, not disassembly. They contain laminated layers of glass, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), silicon cells, and metals like silver and copper, all bonded under high heat and pressure. This makes mechanical separation difficult, often leaving recyclers to shred panels, yielding low-value glass “cullet” instead of recovering high-value materials.
Economic Viability
- High costs: Current recycling processes are labor- and energy-intensive, with limited profitability despite recoverable materials (e.g., silver, silicon) accounting for ~66% of a panel’s material value.
- Market dynamics: The raw materials from recycled panels globally could be worth $15 billion by 2050, but today’s low recycling rates (<10% in the U.S.) and reliance on cheaper virgin materials hinder investment.
Regulatory and Infrastructure Gaps
- Policy: The U.S. lacks federal PV recycling mandates, while the EU’s regulations often result in partial recycling (e.g., harvesting aluminum frames and glass covers only).
- Data limitations: Poor tracking of recycling rates complicates policy responses to incentivize proper disposal.
Technical Hurdles
- Material recovery: Separating silver (95% recovery achieved in lab settings) and silicon from cells remains technically demanding at scale.
- Toxicity concerns: Faulty leaching tests and inconsistent hazardous-waste classifications lead some operators to overpay for disposal instead of recycling.
Environmental Risks
While studies suggest landfilled panels pose low direct health risks, improper disposal could still release lead or cadmium, making recycling the environmentally preferred option.
Original article by NenPower, If reposted, please credit the source: https://nenpower.com/blog/what-are-the-main-challenges-in-recycling-photovoltaic-panels-at-the-end-of-their-life/
