Recycling of Solar Panels: Sustainable Disposal of Photovoltaic Materials

¹ Director School of Management, OMBR, CMR University, Bangalore,
² Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India, harminder.singh@lpu.co.in
³ Uttaranchal University, Dehradun - 248007, India, mohsinikram@uumail.in
⁴ Centre of Research Impact and Outcome, Chitkara University, Rajpura - 140417, Punjab, India, nipun.setia.orp@chitkara.edu.in
⁵ Chitkara Centre for Research and Development, Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh - 174103 India, prabhat.sharma.orp@chitkara.edu.in
⁶ Department of Civil Engineering, GRIET, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
⁷ G D Goenka University, Haryana, India

^* Corresponding author: drrajat.g@cmr.edu.in

Abstract

This paper provides a thorough examination of the recycling process for solar panels and the environmentally-friendly disposal of photovoltaic (PV) elements. By combining experimental data synthesis and a thorough analysis of literature, many important conclusions may be drawn about the makeup of solar panels, the effectiveness of recycling photovoltaic components, the materials that can be recovered by recycling, and the environmental impact comparison between recycling and disposal techniques. The composition study indicates that the main components of PV modules include silicon, glass, aluminum, copper, plastic, and other elements, with silicon being the predominant constituent. An assessment of recycling efficiency reveals that silicon, glass, aluminum, and copper exhibit high rates, suggesting that these materials may be effectively recovered and reused. Moreover, the evaluation of recycled components reveals significant amounts of silicon, glass, aluminum, and copper are retrieved, indicating the possibility for reclaiming resources and achieving circularity in the solar sector. An environmental effect comparison demonstrates the environmental advantages of photovoltaic (PV) recycling, which include decreased energy usage, CO2 emissions, and trash formation in contrast to disposal options. These results emphasize the significance of PV recycling in advancing environmental sustainability, optimizing resource use, and fostering circularity in the solar sector. Nevertheless, in order to promote the extensive implementation of PV recycling methods, it is necessary to tackle obstacles like as technical constraints, economic feasibility, and legal frameworks. This research enhances understanding and aids decision-making in the realm of sustainable energy and resource management by combining data and insights from different studies. Ongoing research, innovation, and policy interventions are essential for speeding up the shift towards a circular economy in the solar business. This will promote environmental sustainability and resource efficiency in the renewable energy sector.