What are the dimensions of a monocrystalline silicon solar PV panel?

A piece of EoL monocrystalline silicon solar PV panel with the dimensions: 400 mm (length) × 200 mm (width) was provided by an electronic waste recycling company. The solar panel was thoroughly cleaned with deionized water and weighed before manual disassembly. Table 1 shows the components after the cleaning and before thermal treatments.

Does a monocrystalline silicon solar PV cell contain Pb and AG?

From Fig. 8 (a), the front end of the untreated EoL monocrystalline silicon solar PV cell contains Pb and Ag in trace amounts, which was a result of the welding and conductor materials. On the other hand, from Fig. 8 (b), it can be seen that the rear end of the panel contains only Al from the coating material.

Can crystalline silicon panels be recycled?

While lacking rare metals found in thin-film solar panels, the materials in crystalline silicon panels are nonetheless valuable for recycling. The challenge lies in the separation and recycling of these materials, due to the compact and interconnected nature of PVMs . Table 2.

What are the components of monocrystalline silicon PV panels?

In terms of weight, the constituents of monocrystalline silicon PV panels are commonly: 76% glass (surface of panel), 10% polymer (encapsulant and backsheet), 8% Al (for the frame), 5% Si (solar cells), 1% Cu (connectors), <0.1% Ag (contact lines) and other metals (such as Pb and Sn) ( Ansanelli et al., 2021 ). Fig. 2.

How do crystalline-silicon solar cells recover metals?

Therefore, the recovery and purification technologies of metals in crystalline-silicon solar cells need to go beyond the laboratory and further towards the development of industrial application. The mechanical treatment method uses physical methods, such as crushing and sorting, to separate the components and then reuse them.

What is the recycling process for silicon-based PV panels?

In this review article, the complete recycling process is systematically summarized into two main sections: disassembly and delamination treatment for silicon-based PV panels, involving physical, thermal, and chemical treatment, and the retrieval of valuable metals (silicon, silver, copper, tin, etc.).