Facility for Scrap Solar Panel Processing and Recycling
Waste solar panels not only contain recyclable high-value materials such as silicon, glass, aluminum, silver, and plastics but also involve the key issues of environmental protection and sustainable resource use. Therefore, establishing an efficient recycling and treatment system can not only reduce environmental pollution but also bring considerable economic value.
Solar panel treatment and recycling technology:
Solar panel recycling is usually divided into a pre-treatment stage, a mechanical recycling stage, and a subsequent material extraction and reuse stage.
Pre-processing stage: dismantling, sorting, removing frames and junction boxes.
Recycling of waste solar panels starts with disassembly and classification. Since the panel consists of a glass layer, a silicon solar cell layer, a plastic encapsulation layer, an aluminum alloy frame, and circuit connecting parts, the first task of disassembly is to remove the aluminum frame and junction box. These components can be recycled directly, e.g. the aluminum frame can be reused in the production of aluminum products, while the copper wires, etc. in the junction box can be recycled as conductive materials.
Solar Panel Recycling Machine Manufacturing Workshop
Mechanical recycling: crushing and separation technology
Disassembled solar panels are usually processed by mechanical crushing and separation technology. After crushing, materials of different compositions are separated and extracted, for example:
Glass: About 75% or more of the components in solar panels are glass, which can be directly recycled for the production of new glass products or construction materials after crushing.
Silicon: Silicon is the core material of solar panels and can be reused to make new photovoltaic wafers or semiconductor products through chemical processing and purification techniques.
Silver and Copper: The silver and copper in the cell wafers are high-value metals that can be recycled for use in the electronics industry or the manufacture of electrical equipment.
Plastic encapsulation layers: Since EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer) and other plastic encapsulation materials are more difficult to decompose, they can be used for energy recovery (e.g., pyrolysis technology) or reused as low-end plastics.
Economic and Market Analysis: Recycling Value and Market Demand for Used Solar Panels
As the solar industry expands, the recycling market for used panels is growing. According to industry forecasts, by 2050, the cumulative global PV waste will exceed 78 million tonnes, providing a huge opportunity for the recycling industry. Recycled materials, such as silicon, silver, aluminum, and copper, have high market value. For example, recycled high-purity silicon can be used in the production of new solar cells, and recycled silver can be used in the electronics manufacturing industry.
In addition, many countries have introduced policies requiring PV companies to establish recycling systems. For example, the European Union has long included PV modules in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE), requiring manufacturers to take responsibility for recycling. China, the United States, Japan, and other countries are also speeding up the establishment of corresponding recycling standards and policies, which further promotes the development of the recycling market for used solar panels. If you are interested or in need, please feel free to contact us for inquiry.
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