Solar panels won't be recycled; at least, not the silicium. When push comes to shove it is cheaper to make them anew than try to harvest the silicium from the panels and bringing the purity etc back to required levels.
But that's now. Panels recycled today are either very old panels or new damaged panels, but their quantities do not justify a grand scale operation. 25 years from now, when the panels built now get recycled, it could be a completely different situation. Once you have large quantities you can start sorting by type and make, which greatly enhances the possibilities to regain its materials.
__________________
2011 Honda Insight + HID, LEDs, tiny PV panel, extra brake pad return springs, neutral wheel alignment, 44/42 PSI (air), PHEV light (inop), tightened wheel nut.
lifetime FE over 0.2 Gigameter or 0.13 Megamile.
For confirmation go to people just like you.
For education go to people unlike yourself.
|