Dynamic material flow analysis of silicon photovoltaic modules to support a circular economy transition

Abstract

Solar photovoltaics (PV) are the fastest growing renewable energy technologies for clean, cheap, and sustainable electricity generation. To prepare for rapid scale-up, the PV industry needs to project material requirements to build out all aspects of the supply chain appropriately and plan to handle large volumes of module waste.Impacts of deploying different material circularity strategies to reduce waste and conserve primary resources need to be quantified to inform sustainable material management. Here, we introduce the photovoltaic dynamic material flow analysis (PV DMFA) model based on PV electricity generation. The model quantifies material flows and stocks in the cradle-to-cradle life cycles of utility-scale c-Si PV systems in the United States through 2100. We present case studies for solar flat glass and aluminum frame materials under various scenarios to project the impacts of PV performance, reliability, and processing parameters, material circularity strategies, and module design shifts. In the absence of circularity measures, $100 million MT of flat glass and $12 million MT of aluminum would be needed for PV installations by 2100 to meet projected growth in domestic utility PV demand to nearly 1000 TWh in 2100. With optimistic but feasible improvements in efficiency, reliability, and circularity, material intensity and waste could be reduced by nearly 50%. Efficient module collection, minimally intrusive recycling, and careful scrap handling and cleaning could improve material circularity in the PV value chain. This model serves as a sustainability data support tool that may aid in the circular economy transition for PV systems.

Fate and Exposure Assessment of Pb Leachate from Hypothetical Breakage Events of Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules

“…Several proof-of-concept perovskite recycling line designs were reported to capture nearly 100% of embodied Pb via solvent extraction. − Technoeconomic and life cycle analysis of such lines are still missing in the literature. Nonetheless, implementing circular economy principles in this early stage of perovskite PV deployment is essential to phase out module waste and ensure closed-loop materials recycling. − …”

Challenges and Solutions in Solar Photovoltaic Technology Life Cycle

“…The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that global cumulative solar PV waste volumes could reach 78 million metric tons by 2050 [15]. This not only represents a significant challenge in terms of waste management but also represents economic value [16]. The solar PV modules are mainly comprised of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), tellurium (Te), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), and numerous hazardous products that could adversely affect the environment if the panels are damaged and no proper recycling or dumping management is established [15].…”

Numerical Investigation of Photo-Generated Carrier Recombination Dynamics on the Device Characteristics for the Perovskite/Carbon Nitride Absorber-Layer Solar Cell

“…At present, photovoltaic modules based on wafer-based crystalline silicon solar cells account for >90% of the global photovoltaic market [1][2][3][4][5]. Laudable enhancements in power conversion efficiency (η) have been experienced for this technology over the last few years, leading to thin film, tandem, and various lab-based architectures [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13].…”