End-of-life treatment of crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels. An emergy-based case study

Corcelli, Fabiana; Ripa, Maddalena; Ulgiati, Sérgio

doi:10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.05.031

Cited by 79 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…It is, therefore, a threat to living organisms. During the processes of producing materials, and components of the plant under investigation, harmful substances causing the ozone hole to increase in total 2 Pt are formed, mainly bromotrifluoromethane (1,5 Pt). Halon 1301 may have a toxic effect on the central nervous system and other bodily functions (Table 9).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For the protection of the climate, the energy sector is of strategic importance as the largest consumer of energy raw materials and emitter of pollution. A sustainable energy policy should ensure that the social needs of current and future generations are best met by maintaining a balance between energy security, competitiveness of the economy and environmental protection, including the climate [1][2][3][4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Eco-Energetical Life Cycle Assessment of Materials and Components of Photovoltaic Power Plant

et al. 2020

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During the conversion of solar radiation into electricity, photovoltaic installations do not emit harmful compounds into the environment. However, the stage of production and post-use management of their elements requires large amounts of energy and materials. Therefore, this publication was intended to conduct an eco-energy life cycle analysis of photovoltaic power plant materials and components based on the LCA method. The subject of the study was a 1 MW photovoltaic power plant, located in Poland. Eco-indicator 99, CED and IPCC were used as calculation procedures. Among the analyzed elements of the power plant, the highest level of negative impact on the environment was characterized by the life cycle of photovoltaic panels stored at the landfill after exploitation (the highest demand for energy, materials and CO2 emissions). Among the materials of the power plant distinguished by the highest harmful effect on health and the quality of the environment stands out: silver, nickel, copper, PA6, lead and cadmium. The use of recycling processes would reduce the negative impact on the environment in the context of the entire life cycle, for most materials and elements. Based on the results obtained, guidelines were proposed for the pro-environmental post-use management of materials and elements of photovoltaic power plants.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Eco-Energetical Life Cycle Assessment of Materials and Components of Photovoltaic Power Plant

et al. 2020

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“…McDonald and Pearce [15] have predicted that there will be a huge volume of discarded photovoltaic waste to be dealt with after 2030. Because some photovoltaic modules contain heavy metals and organic pollutants, there are concerns about the potential risks from unappropriated treatment and disposal of end-of-life (EoL) solar photovoltaic panels, particularly relating to the release of toxic metals and lethal gases into the soil [16]. It is therefore suggested that a level of administration for EoL photovoltaics may be a financially practical and viable solution for dealing with these issues [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It is therefore suggested that a level of administration for EoL photovoltaics may be a financially practical and viable solution for dealing with these issues [17]. In the recent past, numerous privately-owned businesses and research establishments worldwide have carried out lab-scale experiments or pilot industrial procedures to determine the potential for reusing photovoltaic panels including crystalline silicon and thin-film panel [16] [18]. Although there are some techniques for recycling solar photovoltaic panels, the methods are so complex and energy demanding that such EoL treatment is rarely applied in developing countries.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal Uptake by Plants from Soil Contaminated by Thin-Film Solar Panel Material

Su¹,

Chen²,

Ruan³

et al. 2019

JEP

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Various metals, including zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), chromium (Cr), gallium (Ga), lead (Pb), copper (Cu) and indium (In), may be released and cause contamination when scrapped end-of-life (EoL) Cu(InGa)Se 2 thin-film solar panel (CIGS TFSP) is buried in the soil. In this study, we grew Brassica parachinensis L. H. Bariley (Veg Brassica) in three different types of soils, namely, a commercial soil, a Mollisol, and an Oxisol, which had been contaminated by CIGS TFSP to various extents. The concentrations of contaminants in these soils were positively correlated with both the amount of CIGS TFSP added and the burial period. Plants grew well in commercial soil and Mollisol, but those in Oxisol showed prominent signs of chlorosis and died after 30 days. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) and concentration of Zn in Veg Brassica grown in commercial soil with 10% of CIGS TFSP added were 3.61 and 296 mg/kg, respectively, while the BF and concentration of In of Veg Brassica grown in Mollisol were 3.80 and 13.72 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that soils were contaminated by metals released from CIGS TFSP, and different adsorption patterns were observed for Veg Brassica depending on which types of metals associated with the soil properties.

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“…The most effective mean of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is the use of renewable energy sources (RES), such as solar (SPP) and wind (WPP) power plants [3,4]. In the Russian Federation, RES are progressed due to photovoltaic stations, because solar energy is inexhaustible, distributed everywhere and is environmentally friendly in comparison with traditional sources.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Operational experience of a Solar Power Plant with a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System in the conditions of the Southern Urals

2019

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The paper substantiates the need for the introduction of solar tracking systems for photovoltaic plants and presents a brief review of the scientific and technical literature on the development of solar trackers. Principal scheme of a heliostation with a dual-axis solar tracker of Orenburg State University has been designed. A comparative analysis of the generated electricity by a statically located solar module and a solar module with the dual-axis solar tracker is represented. Data for analysis have been obtained in Orenburg (Russia) using the developed automated system for remote diagnostics and monitoring of photovoltaic system parameters and a wireless weather station HP2000. The use of a dual-axis heliotracker for the solar plant in the conditions of the Southern Urals has allowed to increase the generation of electricity by 34.7% compared to a statically located PV panel.

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End-of-life treatment of crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels. An emergy-based case study

Cited by 79 publications

References 45 publications

Eco-Energetical Life Cycle Assessment of Materials and Components of Photovoltaic Power Plant

Eco-Energetical Life Cycle Assessment of Materials and Components of Photovoltaic Power Plant

Metal Uptake by Plants from Soil Contaminated by Thin-Film Solar Panel Material

Operational experience of a Solar Power Plant with a Dual-Axis Solar Tracking System in the conditions of the Southern Urals

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