E38
ENEA Technology
MANAGEMENT OF PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AT END OF LIFE: PROCESSES FOR THE RECOVERY OF VALUABLE MATERIALS
Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
5÷6
Innovations and Benefits
The actually available technologies for materials recovery from photovoltaic (PV) waste are energetically expensive and with a high environmental impact.
ENEA carries out activities to develop innovative and environmentally sustainable methods to recover valuable materials deriving from PV plants at the end of their life. Our goals are to optimize the global economy of the production process of new panels from recycled materials and to obtain benefits in the reduction pollution and protection of the environment. The correct management of PV waste allows the minimization of the volume and quantity of materials sent to landfill, the recovery and recycling of useful and exploitable materials (glass, aluminium, silver, copper, semiconductors, etc.), the reduction in consumption of raw materials and energy and then the positive closing of the energy balance of the complete life cycle of a PV module.
Use
Development of methodologies for the materials recovery to be introduced into eco-sustainable processes for the production of photovoltaic modules and electronic components.
Photovoltaic module production companies, electronic waste disposal / material recovery companies.
Applications and ongoing Activities
The ongoing activity is focused on the delamination of c-Si PV panels through thermal/physical treatments with reduced environmental and energy impact for the recovery of high-value components: Si, Ag, Cu, Al.
In particular, the goal is:
- to optimize, to simply and to reduce the energy consumption of the separation techniques of the materials contained in the panel structure;
- to minimize the release into the environment of hazardous elements (metals and toxic organic substances) deriving from recovery treatments.
“If you are interested in this technology/service, please send a message to eneaperlinnovazione@enea.it, by specifying the title of the technology/service of your interest, the reason for your request and your contacts or the contacts of a person from your organization/company.
