Francesca Pagnanelli

Abstract:

Photolife project aims at the realization of a prototype for automatic treatment of different kinds of photovoltaic panels (Si-based, Cd-Te and innovative types) according to a common process route. A demonstration activity is foreseen including the retrieval and treatment in the prototype of the collected photovoltaic devices. Laboratory data were used to formulate energy and mass balances for PV panel treatment according to two process schemes (thermal treatment vs. solvent treatment for EVA disruption and panel opening). Solvent treatment gives final recovery yields of glass similar to thermal treatment with lower energy consumption and higher glass quality. Demonstration activities will allow the characterization of EVA residues after solvent treatment and the evaluation of their reuse. Historical data of PV installation in EU were employed to estimate the fluxes of wastes resulting from the disposal of end-life photovoltaic panels during the period 2025-2045. In 2011 in Italy a dramatic increase was registered due to government incentives, but such peak was not maintained during successive years. Accordingly a big amount of wastes should be expected since 2030. More specifically the amount of wastes to be treated in Italy will remain around 400.000 ton/year even in the period 2030-2055. Preliminary economic analysis of the Photolife process evidenced that feasibility can be reached starting from 75.000 ton/y for Si-based panels, while larger potentiality (>200.000 ton/y) is necessary if only CdTe are fed in the plant. These results encouraged the choice of a unique process route for the treatment of different kinds of PV panels as proposed in the Photolife project, which reaches economic feasibility for potentiality in agreement with future national waste fluxes. Preliminary LCA evidenced that the Photolife approach is very favourable for the environment, giving net credits for the most relevant impact categories considered.