Fabrication and Characteristics of Recyclable PV Modules

Solar Energy ◽  
2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya Doi ◽  
Izumi Tsuda ◽  
Koichi Sakuta ◽  
Goichi Matsui
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Cell Recovery ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
Transparent Films ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Pv Cell ◽  
Cell Modules ◽  
Weather Resistance ◽  
Resistance Tests

Since the life of crystalline silicon PV modules is mainly determined by that of the encapsulations and not of the cells, it is possible to reuse the cells, except when the cells are physically damaged. By reusing the cells, we can save the significant amount of energy consumed in the manufacture of PV cells, and reduce the total cost of PV modules as a consequence. PV cells are resources, and they should be recycled. However, it has not been easy to remove cells from modules without damaging them because of the very strong adhesiveness of EVA, the most common encapsulant resin. We propose a new PV module with a double encapsulation module (DEM) structure, in which both surfaces of the PV cells are wrapped with non-adhesive transparent films. Here, the concept of DEM is explained and detailed results from the fabrication of single-cell modules are presented. The results of PV cell recovery experiments and weather resistance tests are also shown.

scholarly journals Feasibility Study of the Technical and Economic Performance of Grid-Connected PV System for Selected Rooftops in UTHM

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamad Fakrie Mohamad Ali ◽  
◽  
Mohd Noor Abdullah ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Payback Period ◽  
Net Energy ◽  
Pv System ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Electricity Bill ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Energy Metering

This paper presents the feasibility study of the technical and economic performances of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system for selected rooftops in Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM). The analysis of the electricity consumption and electricity bill data of UTHM campus show that the monthly electricity usage in UTHM campus is very high and expensive. The main purpose of this project is to reduce the annual electricity consumption and electricity bill of UTHM with Net Energy Metering (NEM) scheme. Therefore, the grid-connected PV system has been proposed at Dewan Sultan Ibrahim (DSI), Tunku Tun Aminah Library (TTAL), Fakulti Kejuruteraan Awam dan Alam Bina (FKAAS) and F2 buildings UTHM by using three types of PV modules which are mono-crystalline silicon (Mono-Si), poly-crystalline silicon (Poly-Si) and Thin-film. These three PV modules were modeled, simulated and calculated using Helioscope software with the capacity of 2,166.40kWp, 2,046.20kWp and 1,845kWp respectively for the total rooftop area of 190,302.9 ft². The economic analysis was conducted on the chosen three installed PV modules using RETScreen software. As a result, the Mono-Si showed the best PV module that can produce 2,332,327.40 kWh of PV energy, 4.4% of CO₂ reduction, 9.3 years of payback period considering 21 years of the contractual period and profit of RM4,932,274.58 for 11.7 years after payback period. Moreover, the proposed installation of 2,166.40kWp (Mono-SI PV module) can reduce the annual electricity bill and CO2 emission of 3.6% (RM421,561.93) and 4.4% (1,851.40 tCO₂) compared to the system without PV system.

scholarly journals Sustainable End of Life Management of Crystalline Silicon and Thin Film Solar Photovoltaic Waste: The Impact of Transportation

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (16) ◽  
pp. 5465 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilke Celik ◽  
Marina Lunardi ◽  
Austen Frederickson ◽  
Richard Corkish
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
United States ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hotspot Analysis ◽  
Material Recovery ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
The Impact

This work provides economic and environmental analyses of transportation-related impacts of different photovoltaic (PV) module technologies at their end-of-life (EoL) phase. Our results show that crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules are the most economical PV technology (United States Dollars (USD) 2.3 per 1 m2 PV module (or 0.87 ¢/W) for transporting in the United States for 1000 km). Furthermore, we found that the financial costs of truck transportation for PV modules for 2000 km are only slightly more than for 1000 km. CO2-eq emissions associated with transport are a significant share of the EoL impacts, and those for copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) PV modules are always higher than for c-Si and CdTe PV. Transportation associated CO2-eq emissions contribute 47%, 28%, and 40% of overall EoL impacts of c-Si, CdTe, and CIGS PV wastes, respectively. Overall, gasoline-fueled trucks have 65–95% more environmental impacts compared to alternative transportation options of the diesel and electric trains and ships. Finally, a hotspot analysis on the entire life cycle CO2-eq emissions of different PV technologies showed that the EoL phase-related emissions are more significant for thin-film PV modules compared to crystalline silicon PV technologies and, so, more environmentally friendly material recovery methods should be developed for thin film PV.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Performance of Various PV Module Technologies in Peru

Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene Romero-Fiances ◽  
Emilio Muñoz-Cerón ◽  
Rafael Espinoza-Paredes ◽  
Gustavo Nofuentes ◽  
Juan De la Casa
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Performance Ratio ◽  
Energy Yield ◽  
Actual Behavior ◽  
Low Light ◽  
Light Levels ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Parameter Ranges ◽  
Pv Grid

A knowledge gap exists about the actual behavior of PV grid-connected systems (PVGCS) using various PV technologies in Peru. This paper presents the results of an over three-year-long performance evaluation of a 3.3-kWp monocrystalline silicon (sc-Si) PVGCS located in Arequipa, a 3.3-kWp sc-Si PVGCS located in Tacna, and a 3-kWp policrystalline (mc-Si) PVGCS located in Lima. An assessment of the performance of a 3.5-kWp amorphous silicon/crystalline silicon hetero-junction (a-Si/µc-Si) PVGCS during over one and a half years of being in Lima is also presented. The annual final yields obtained lie within 1770–1992 kWh/kW, 1505–1540 kWh/kW, and 736–833 kWh/kW for Arequipa, Tacna, and Lima, respectively, while the annual PV array energy yield achieved by a-Si/µc-Si is 1338 kWh/kW. The annual performance ratio stays in the vicinity of 0.83 for sc-Si in Arequipa and Tacna while this parameter ranges from 0.70 to 0.77 for mc-Si in Lima. An outstanding DC annual performance ratio of 0.97 is found for a-Si/µc-Si in the latter site. The use of sc-Si and presumably, mc-Si PV modules in desert climates, such as that of Arequipa and Tacna, is encouraged. However, sc-Si and presumably, mc-Si-technologies experience remarkable temperature and low irradiance losses in Lima. By contrast, a-Si/µc-Si PV modules perform much better in the latter site thanks to being less influenced by both temperature and low light levels.

scholarly journals Origin of Bypass Diode Fault in c-Si Photovoltaic Modules: Leakage Current under High Surrounding Temperature

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2416 ◽  
Author(s):  
Woo Shin ◽  
Suk Ko ◽  
Hyung Song ◽  
Young Ju ◽  
Hye Hwang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
Leakage Current ◽  
Schottky Diode ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Operating Voltage ◽  
Reverse Voltage ◽  
Photovoltaic Modules ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Bypass Diode ◽  
Pv Modules

Bypass diodes have been widely utilized in crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) modules to maximize the output of a PV module array under partially shaded conditions. A Schottky diode is used as the bypass diode in c-Si PV modules due to its low operating voltage. In this work, we systematically investigated the origin of bypass diode faults in c-Si PV modules operated outdoors. The temperature of the inner junction box where the bypass diode is installed increases as the ambient temperature increases. Its temperature rises to over 70 °C on sunny days in summer. As the temperature of the junction box increases from 25 to 70 °C, the leakage current increases up to 35 times under a reverse voltage of 15 V. As a result of the high leakage current of the bypass diode at high temperature, melt down of the junction barrier between the metal and semiconductor has been observed in damaged diodes collected from abnormally functioning PV modules. Thus, it is believed that the constant leakage current applied to the junction caused the melting of the junction, thereby resulting in a failure of both the bypass diode and the c-Si PV module.

The Status and Trends of Crystalline Silicon PV Module Recycling Treatment Methods in Europe and China

2013 ◽  
Vol 724-725 ◽  
pp. 200-204 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Zhang ◽  
Fang Lv ◽  
Li Yun Ma ◽  
Li Juan Yang
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Treatment ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Advanced Technology ◽  
Thermal Method ◽  
Abrasive Machining ◽  
Pv Systems ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
The Status ◽  
Treatment Research

The disposal of PV systems will become a problem in view of the continually increasing production of PV modules. Development for waste PV modules recycling would be extremely effective in coping with this problem. In Europe, the thermal method and chemical method for PV recycling were deeply developed. The thermal treatment was to separate the module components under 600°C. The chemical treatment is to recover silicon wafers out of solar cells, which can be used again in modules. But automated separation of components and advanced chemical process needs to be studied on. In China, mechanical treatment research for PV recycling has just started. PV modules were separated and recycled by abrasive machining under the cryogenic condition and electrostatic separation. The mechanical treatment can't recycle silicon to reprocess new wafers for its low purity. Compared to the advanced technology in Europe, PV recycling in China is primary and badly in need of improving to face the huge PV module recycling demands in future.

scholarly journals Recovery of Valuable Materials from the Waste Crystalline-Silicon Photovoltaic Cell and Ribbon

Processes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 712
Author(s):  
Wei-Sheng Chen ◽  
Yen-Jung Chen ◽  
Cheng-Han Lee ◽  
Yi-Jin Cheng ◽  
Yu-An Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Copper Wire ◽  
Ethylene Vinyl Acetate ◽  
Photovoltaic Cell ◽  
Chemical Precipitation ◽  
Tempered Glass ◽  
Recycling Process ◽  
Cell Purification ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Cell

With the dramatic increase of photovoltaic (PV) module installation in solar energy-based industries, the methods for recovering waste solar generators should be emphasized as the backup of the PV market for environmental protection. Crystalline-silicon accounts for most of the worldwide PV market and it contains valuable materials such as high purity of silicon (Si), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), tin (Sn), and lead (Pb). This study can provide an efficient recycling process for valuable materials resourced from waste crystalline-silicon PV module, including Si in the PV cell, and Ag, Cu, Pb, Sn, in PV ribbon. As tempered glass and Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) resin were removed, the module was separated into two materials, PV ribbon and PV cell. For PV cell purification, Si with purity at 99.84% was recovered by removing impurities such as aluminum (Al) and Ag by two-step leaching and dissolving the impurities. For PV ribbon recovering, purified metal or metal oxide was obtained through the processes of leaching/polishing, extraction, and chemical precipitation. In the polishing process, 99.5% of copper wire was collected. The purities of final products are 99.7% for CuO, 99.47% for PbO, 99.68% for SnO2, and 98.85% for Ag respectively.

scholarly journals Study on Mitigation Method of Solder Corrosion for Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju-Hee Kim ◽  
Jongsung Park ◽  
Donghwan Kim ◽  
Nochang Park
Keyword(s):  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Corrosion Mechanism ◽  
Photovoltaic Modules ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Oxidation Reduction ◽  
Voltage Mapping ◽  
Current Voltage ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Mapping Analysis ◽  
In Series

The corrosion of 62Sn36Pb2Ag solder connections poses serious difficulties for outdoor-exposed photovoltaic (PV) modules, as connection degradation contributes to the increase in series resistance (RS) of PV modules. In this study, we investigated a corrosion mitigation method based on the corrosion mechanism. The effect of added sacrificial metal on the reliability of PV modules was evaluated using the oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction under damp heat (DH) conditions. Experimental results after exposure to DH show that the main reason for the decrease in power was a drop in the module’s fill factor. This drop was attributed to the increase ofRS. The drop in output power of the PV module without added sacrificial metal is greater than that of the sample with sacrificial metal. Electroluminescence and current-voltage mapping analysis also show that the PV module with sacrificial metal experienced less degradation than the sample without sacrificial metal.

Thermal Patterns in PV Arrays Operating in Tropical Conditions: A Preliminary Approach

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rolando Soler-Bientz ◽  
Lifter Ricalde-Cab ◽  
Inés Riech Méndez
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Temperature Sensors ◽  
Research System ◽  
Pv Array ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Tropical Conditions ◽  
Pv Modules ◽  
Thermal Patterns

This paper presents preliminary results of a field study focused in the study of the heat patterns of a PV array in tropical conditions. The research system is comprised by four sub arrays of four mono-crystalline Silicon PV Modules. The system was installed facing to the South direction in a static configuration according to the geographical location of the study site. A set of temperature sensors were installed on the back of the PV module in order to monitor their thermal patterns on daily basics. Ambient temperature, solar radiation on the PV surface and on the horizontal surface as well as the wind speed and wind direction have been also monitored concurrently with the thermal patterns of the whole PV array under study.

scholarly journals Thermal Residual Stress Analysis of Soldering and Lamination Processes for Fabrication of Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules

Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 3256 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunseong Shin ◽  
Ekyu Han ◽  
Nochang Park ◽  
Donghwan Kim
Keyword(s):  
Residual Stress ◽  
Principal Stress ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Element Model ◽  
Maximum Principal Stress ◽  
Mechanical Failure ◽  
Soldering Process ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Wafer Thickness ◽  
Pv Modules

In this study, we developed a finite element model to assess the residual stress in the soldering and lamination processes during the fabrication of crystalline silicon (Si) photovoltaic (PV) modules. We found that Si wafers experience maximum thermo-mechanical stress during the soldering process. Then, the Si solar cells experience pressure during the process of lamination of each layer of the PV module. Thus, it is important to decrease the residual stress during soldering of thin Si wafers. The residual stress is affected by the number of busbars, Si wafer thickness, and solder type. Firstly, as the number of busbars increases from two to twelve, the maximum principal stress increases by almost a factor of three (~100 MPa). Such a high first principal stress can cause mechanical failure in some Si wafers. Secondly, thermal warpage increases immediately after the soldering process when the thickness of the Si wafers decreases. Therefore, the number and width of the busbars should be considered in order to avoid mechanical failure. Finally, the residual stress can be reduced by using low melting point solder. The results obtained in this study can be applied to avoid mechanical failure in PV modules employing thin Si wafers.

scholarly journals Proposed Models to Improve Predicting the Operating Temperature of Different Photovoltaic Module Technologies under Various Climatic Conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 7064
Author(s):  
Dang Phuc Nguyen Nguyen ◽  
Kristiaan Neyts ◽  
Johan Lauwaert
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Crystalline Silicon ◽  
Operating Temperature ◽  
Thermal Inertia ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Solar Irradiation ◽  
Photovoltaic Module ◽  
Silicon Thin Film ◽  
Pv Module ◽  
Pv Modules

The operating temperature is an essential parameter determining the performance of a photovoltaic (PV) module. Moreover, the estimation of the temperature in the absence of measurements is very complex, especially for outdoor conditions. Fortunately, several models with and without wind speed have been proposed to predict the outdoor operating temperature of a PV module. However, a problem for these models is that their accuracy decreases when the sampling interval is smaller due to the thermal inertia of the PV modules. In this paper, two models, one with wind speed and the other without wind speed, are proposed to improve the precision of estimating the operating temperature of outdoor PV modules. The innovative aspect of this study is two novel thermal models that consider the variation of solar irradiation over time and the thermal inertia of the PV module. The calculation is applied to different types of PV modules, including crystalline silicon, thin film as well as tandem technology at different locations. The models are compared to models that are described in the literature. The results obtained in different time steps show that our proposed models achieve better performance and can be applied to different PV technologies.

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