Recyclability and ecological-economic analysis of a simple photovoltaic panel

Abstract

Photovoltaic industry has displayed an exponential expansion rate over the past two decades. Currently, 1185 GW of the global electricity demand is derived from photovoltaic (PV) panels with more to come in the next two decades. With the growing installment rate, a concern regarding managing panels that reached the end of their life-span grows. Despite the fact that the approximate life-span of a panel is 25 years, oftentimes this interval is shortened due to weather conditions, low-quality installations, and poor maintenance. Therefore, a global attention is focused on research and law-regulation of proper recycling and disposal of the PV waste. In this contribution, recyclability of one PV panel is determined upon subjecting it to the simplest recycling process, which is manual mechanical separation using common hand-tools. In addition, an ecological-economic analysis of the panel, which yields an absolute profit of the panel is presented.