PV modules have their longevity. Therefore, while the government is vigorously developing solar photovoltaic power generation, it must also carry out relevant recycling mechanisms to avoid the tens of thousands of tons of solar photovoltaic decommissioning tides after many years. To alleviate this problem, German manufacturer Geltz Umwelt -Technologie has successfully developed solar recovery test equipment through thermal cracking technology, which is estimated to process 50,000 PV modules per year.
Germany has been committed to the development of renewable energy for many years. The proportion of green energy power generation has increased from 6.3% in 2000 to 30% in 2014. In 2018, it has set a record for 100% renewable energy supply in the country. Among them, Sun Optoelectronics is the most in Germany. Cost-effective electricity, the minimum cost per kilowatt hour is only 1.30 yuan, which is a very popular green energy option.
It's just that PV modules are always damaged and retired. If we started to promote solar energy development in 2000, we will face the first wave of solar retreat after 2020. Therefore, it is imperative to deploy recycling plants and formulate relevant regulations.
Most of the silicon crystal components are made of 65-75% glass, 10-15% aluminum frame, 10% plastic and 3-5% silicon crystal, and also contain zinc, silver, copper and other metal components, although most materials can be Recycling, but the general recycling center only processes glass and aluminum frames.
Geltz Umwelt-Technologie Management Assistant Fabian Geltz also added that PV modules have been tightly integrated with polymers, panel parts are difficult to separate and individually recycled, and there are no technical solutions to separate and recycle high-value materials.
The team believes that “destroying the polymer layer” is the key to the recycling process. So they use the pyrolysis process to try to melt the unwanted polymer layer, separate the glass from the panel, and pass through the sieve and air classifier. To separate fine materials, and finally successfully recover aluminum, glass, silver, copper, tin and silicon.
Considering the exhaust gas generated during the operation of the equipment, the team also uses a thermal afterburner (also known as afterburner) and a cooling system with a gas scrubber to make the solar panels from power generation to recycling. Geltz said that these materials are expected to become the source of future metal raw materials.
The team estimates that the new equipment can process 50,000 PV modules per year and recycle 95% of the materials. The research also points out that the thermal cracking process can process 1 metric ton of waste PV modules per cycle, helping to solve the challenge of being too difficult to recycle.
The solar recycling plant has its construction necessity. The International Renewable Energy Organization (IRENA) previously estimated that the market value of recycled materials in 2030 can reach 450 million US dollars, and the output value will exceed 15 billion US dollars by 2050. IRENA also estimates that global solar photovoltaic waste will From 250,000 tons at the end of 2016, it will increase to more than 5 million tons in 2050, and the amount of waste will be as much as the new solar photovoltaic device.
Many countries are now aware of the problem of decommissioning solar panels. The EU has set up a dedicated recycling PV cycle in 2007. France has also successfully built the first solar energy recycling plant in Europe. The US Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) and the Japan Solar Photoelectric Association (JPEA) also Recycling of waste modules in the ground has been promoted. Displaying recycled PV modules is not only beneficial to the environment, but also promotes another solar business opportunity.
