End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels as a Source of Secondary Materials: Advanced Issues on Reversibility of Their Manufacturing Technologies

The global expansion of photovoltaic (PV) technology over the last few decades has brought attention to the critical issue of managing end-of-life (EOL) of photovoltaic panels (PVP’s). This chapter delves into the potential of EOL PVP’s as a valuable secondary material source, examining the feasibility of their manufacturing reversibility within the framework of a spiral economy and the economic and environmental consequences of the related recycling processes. The evolution of PV production technology is presented, from traditional crystalline silicon (c-Si) panels to more advanced thin-film technologies, providing a comprehensive overview of the technological progression. Various demanufacturing and recycling methods are then discussed, encompassing thermo-mechanical, chemical and hybrid approaches, with a specific focus on material separation and recovery. A comparative analysis of different recycling techniques if thus offered, highlighting the inherent trade-offs between material recovery rates, resource consumption and environmental impact. This is crucial for selecting sustainable and efficient recycling strategies for the second life of EOL PVP’s. The issue of reversibility is explored using Emergy Analysis as a tool for assessing the sustainability of demanufacturing processes, offering insights into the energy and resource consumption of different recycling methods. Finally, the chapter provides insights into potential applications of recycled materials, considering their quality and economic viability in different sectors and introduces the concept of re lifening to explore innovative uses that fully exploit the intrinsic characteristics of these materials.