Research on recycling and disassembly of waste crystalline silicon solar cells

Abstract

Past two decades have witnessed a rapid increase in the application of photovoltaics which is being vastly produced considering the fact that they are the crucial elements that contribute to the transition from conventional finite fossil energy to new-generation renewable energy. In order to offset the undesirable environmental impact attached to the mass production of Photovoltaics and also recover valuable metals, a comprehensive and environmentally friendly strategy of solar cells disposal and recycling handling are indispensable. Systematical analysis of different contemporary distinctive methods involved in end-of-life solar cell handling is needed for gaining a deep insight into the recycling process. This article mainly focuses on summarizing and comparing three highly effective methods for solar cells recycling and disassembly: physical treatment, chemical treatment, thermal treatment. Our results show that the physical method is mostly seen as a preliminary process that is indispensable before chemical or thermal treatment and that despite chemical treatments using solvents are crucial for the elimination and recovery process of valuable metals, there are several drawbacks, like harmful waste and damage to recovered silicon bulk, all of which are not contained by thermal treatment.