As we venture into 2024, many regions are actively promoting consumer goods for trade-ins and large-scale equipment upgrades, yielding promising resultsHowever, a pressing concern emerges: how will we deal with second-hand consumer goods and obsolete equipment? This article initiates an exploration of the recycling chain, aiming to identify problems and propose solutions related to enhancing resource utilization and bolstering the circular economy of waste materials.

According to projections made by the China Photovoltaic Industry Association, large quantities of retired photovoltaic (PV) modules are expected to emerge by 2025. By 2030, the volume of disposed PV modules will peak at approximately 18 gigawatts (GW), which translates to around 1.4 million tons of wasteLooking ahead to 2040, the cumulative amount of abandoned PV modules could rise to 253 GW, weighing in at about 20 million tonsThe question remains: how prepared is the industry for this impending wave of PV module retirements? What challenges continue to loom in this sector?

The potential for development in PV module recycling is enormousThis process involves dismantling the components of PV modules to facilitate material recovery and reusePV modules are predominantly made up of components such as solar cells, glass, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and back sheets.

According to Xu Junyu, a project officer at the PV Recycling Industry Development Cooperation Center, the majority of waste PV modules originate from power plants and production linesWhile a small volume does come from transportation, the bulk ends up either with recycling firms or stored temporarily until conditions become viable for dismantling. “These retired PV modules are being channeled either into proper recycling processes or temporarily stored away, waiting for the right conditions and technological advancements,” Xu noted.

The efficient recycling and safe disposal of retired PV modules are not only essential for supporting circular economic benefits but also play a critical role in environmental protection

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According to Yu Xiaoming, a senior investment consultant at Jufeng Invest, the market for PV recycling is substantial, with estimates suggesting it could surpass a value of 100 billion yuan (approximately 15 billion USD).

As the recycling market grows, more participants are entering the PV recycling industryCompanies like JinkoSolar have committed to two primary strategies: upgrading technical equipment for compatibility with various models and creating robust recycling channels to maximize the value of recovered materials through their supply chainThe State Power Investment Corporation's Huanghe Company is also making strides in the field, having developed key technologies for the industrialization and localization of silicon-based PV module recycling, recognized by the National Energy Administration.

Despite the burgeoning interest in PV module recycling, the industry faces a significant constraint: a shortage of market supplyNumerous companies offer on-site recycling services, yet most are small-scale operations confined to local businessA manager from a recycling enterprise in Jiangsu noted, “For us, transporting PV panels from other provinces is economically unfeasibleFor instance, transporting from Guangdong to Suzhou can cost tens of yuan per panel, making it hard to break even.” Only when they gather upwards of 500 panels can they afford to process a delivery.

Ling Zhenpeng, chief consultant at Zhifan Coast Agency, highlighted the challenges related to profitability in the industryPresently, the influx of retired PV modules is not yet at a critical mass, which results in higher operating costs at various stages from dismantling to transportationFurthermore, many companies lack the technological sophistication needed for thorough processing, leading to excessive resource wastage.

The complexity of PV module structures, which integrate various materials, further complicates effective recovery and recycling without advanced technological support. “Particularly challenging are back sheets containing fluorine, EVA layer removal, and the recovery of precious metals,” explained Xiang Weili, Executive Director at Sullivan’s Greater China region

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While thermal methods can separate materials, they may emit harmful gases, and chemical solvents pose challenges concerning the disposal of organic waste liquids.

Research indicates three primary methods for dismantling solar modules: physical methods, pyrolysis-chemical methods, and solvent-chemical methodsAlthough physical methods are simpler to implement, they yield less pure materialConversely, chemical methods provide higher purity but involve additional material consumptionCombining these two approaches is emerging as a crucial direction for advancing the PV recycling industry.

At present, the development of recycling technologies largely focuses on crystalline silicon modules, aiming to recover rare metals and valuable materials from retired components to minimize waste while also addressing environmental concernsSubstances like lead, sulfuric acid, cadmium, and tin, when mismanaged, can lead to severe ecological repercussions.

Furthermore, illegal recycling operations represent a troubling trendSmall-scale workshops often avoid environmental compliance costs, allowing them to offer higher prices for discarded modules, thus driving legitimate firms out of business and disrupting market equilibrium. “To counter the crude processing by these mini-workshops, legitimate recycling enterprises must have the requisite qualifications and expertise to ensure that recycling and dismantling processes adhere to scientific and regulated protocols,” Liang Zhenpeng emphasized.

Another fundamental impediment to the development of the PV module recycling industry resides in the lack of clear policymaking and standardsThere currently exists no well-defined system for evaluating component recycling processes, leaving gaps in technical and managerial frameworks during the lifecycle of waste modulesStaff from JinkoSolar pointed out, “The ambiguity surrounding the categorization of waste PV modules and the lack of comprehensive transition from disposal to reuse indicates significant deficiencies in technological, standard, and management policies.”

To cultivate a flourishing recycling landscape for PV modules, it is imperative to establish well-defined channels for collection

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The timeline set for 2025 anticipates the creation of clear mechanisms for managing retirement of devices in centralized wind and solar power stations, alongside the refinement of recycling standardsBy 2030, it is hoped that a mature system for comprehensive recycling technology for wind and solar equipment will be established to meet the growing demand for sustainable resource utilization.

Regions are not only advancing photovoltaic industry development but also searching for viable pathways for PV module recycling through policy guidance, technical innovations, and fostering collaborative efforts for the green development of the PV recycling sector.

Establishing a complete recycling framework stands crucial amid these endeavorsXiang Weili advocates for empowering manufacturing companies to engage in diverse models of recycling, whether independent, collaborative, or outsourced, to set up regional recycling depots while implementing an “Internet plus PV recycling” model that monitors component retirements in real-timeHe also highlights the potential benefits of incorporating big data, IoT, and cloud computing within the recycling framework, bolstering accountability and measurability throughout the recycling process.

Furthermore, active participation from PV enterprises is equally essentialAs the industry evolves and technologies progress, there is a growing trend for companies to prioritize the management of PV components through their entire lifecycle, including the establishment of tailored recycling systemsSenior researcher Yu Fenghui from Pangu Think Tank remarked on this upheaval.

In addressing these challenges, Xu Junyu proposes incentivizing end-user enterprises in the PV sector to spearhead the development of new recycling systems for obsolete PV products, highlighting the establishment of reverse logistics systems leveraging extensive sales, logistical, and operational networksFor distributed energy solutions, pilot recycling initiatives could be launched in industrial parks, towns, and transport hubs, enhanced through the adoption of “Internet plus” strategies to bolster compliance in recycling practices.

As technological advancements continue and market needs grow, a gradual increase in the industry’s concentration level is expected, leading enterprises to achieve greater achievements in technology innovation, resource utilization, and environmental protection; this will ultimately promote sustainable growth within the photovoltaic sector.

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