A large number of photovoltaic modules will reach their retirement period within the next 10 à 25 années. How to handle these waste modules containing high-value materials such as glass, plaquettes de silicium, silver paste, and aluminum frames has become a focus of industry. The emergence of PV recycling technology not only enables the effective recovery of valuable resources but also prevents environmental pollution, thereby realizing a green, low-carbon circular economy.

What are the technical approaches for PV recycling?

Photovoltaic modules primarily consist of glass, plaquettes de silicium, feuilles de fond, EVA adhesive, metal frames, and conductors. The tight bonding between these layers poses challenges for recycling. Donc, a PV recycling technology corresponds to different separation methods and objectives.

PV mechanical recycling

The mechanical method is one of the most mature and fundamental recycling approaches at present. The core principle involves physical methods such as équipement de démontage de panneaux solaires, écrasement, and sorting to achieve the initial separation of glass, metal frames, and silicon wafers.

This method features a simple process flow, low energy consumption, and no secondary pollution. Cependant, it has limited effectiveness in removing EVA adhesive layers, and the recovered silicon purity is not high, which is suitable for primary recycling.

solar panel pyrolysis technology

Le Technologie de pyrolyse photovoltaïque involves heating EVA in an inert gas atmosphere to decompose it, thereby releasing the silicon wafers and glass. Solution de projet de pyrolyse de panneaux solaires effectively removes EVA residues, yielding silicon wafers of high purity.

YUSHUNXIN PV recycling technology employs advanced low-temperature pyrolysis processes to effectively reduce energy consumption and emissions while maintaining high recovery rates. It is more efficient and eco-friendly than traditional processing methods.

The chemical method employs environmentally friendly solvents or acid-base solutions to dissolve EVA or backsheet materials, and then separates silicon, verre, and metal components.

This method preserves the integrity of silicon wafers and achieves high extraction rates, which is ideal for enterprises with stringent material purity requirements. With the growing adoption of green chemistry, the use of biodegradable solvents makes this process safer and more eco-friendly.

In actual production, many enterprises combine multiple processes. Par exemple, it first removes the frame and junction box by mechanical means, then eliminates EVA through pyrolysis or chemical methods, and finally extracts metals such as silver and aluminum in wet metallurgical processes.

Can these processes recycle different types of modules?

Photovoltaic modules are of various types, including monocrystalline silicon, polycrystalline silicon, and thin-film cells. The differences in their structures determine the suitability of recycling routes. YUSHUNXIN gestion du recyclage des panneaux solaires features a modular and intelligent design. The equipment can automatically identify module types and matches optimal process parameters, which supports flexible combinations of PV recycling technology.

Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Silicon Modules

Monocrystalline and Polycrystalline Silicon Modules

These two types are the most common modules on the market. They have similar structures but differ in silicon wafer purity. The aforementioned recycling processes are applicable to both types of modules. For mechanical methods, it is possible to use similar crushing and sorting equipment. For pyrolysis and chemical methods, it is necessary to adjust process parameters according to the encapsulation thickness and material composition.

Thin-Film Modules

Thin-film modules are diverse in type and contain precious metals such as indium, gallium, and tellurium. Mechanical methods have limited effectiveness in such components. Chemical leaching and hydrometallurgy have become the mainstream technologies for thin-film module recycling, which can extract rare metals efficiently. Pyrolysis can also remove surface organic encapsulation layers, thereby creating conditions for subsequent chemical processing.

Thin Film PV Modules

What are the key recycling considerations for PV materials?

As PV materials differ in primary valuable substances and pollution risks, recycling emphasis varies accordingly.

Monocrystalline modules contain silicon material of high purity, which is the most valuable component for recycling. The focus of PV recycling technology is to maximize the preservation of silicon wafer integrity and purity while recovering auxiliary materials such as silver paste and aluminum frames.

Polycrystalline modules feature thin and fragile silicon wafers. During mechanical separation, it is necessary to control the crushing force to prevent secondary contamination. The key focus of recycling lies in the efficient separation of glass and metal.

Thin-film modules contain rare metals with high recycling value, such as indium, gallium, and tellurium. Cependant, they also contain potentially hazardous substances. The focus of recycling lies in pollution control during safe dismantling and chemical separation processes.

Difference types of solar panels
EVA and Backing Materials

EVA and Backing Materials

EVA and backing materials are mostly polymers that can produce fuel oil or reusable chemicals through pyrolysis or chemical recycling.

Metal Frames and Wires

Metal Frames and Wires

Recycling companies can directly recycle aluminum frames and copper wires through mechanical dismantling. Automatic dismantling equipment significantly reduces labor costs and increases processing speed.

BASE D'INGÉNIERIE ALIGNÉE SUR LE CATALOGUE

Technology comparison

Use this page to compare liberation mechanisms and connected environmental duties, not to select equipment from capacity alone.

01

Matériel entrant

Module bill of materials and representative samples.

02

Résultats attendus

Defined fractions with mass-balance and receiver criteria.

03

Interfaces du projet

Process safety, contrôle environnemental, utilitaires, maintenance access and sampling plan.

REGISTRE DE MODÈLE ET DE PORTÉE

Utiliser uniquement la ligne correspondant à la limite du processus sélectionné.

Référence catalogueCapacitéPouvoirEnveloppe physiqueLimite incluse
YSX-M1000Mécanique mono-verre1 ème277.6 kW36 × 6 × 6 mLigne mécanique intégrée
YSX-TK500Tunnel thermique500 kg/heure116.65 kW65 × 13 × 7.5 mLigne thermique tunnel continue
YSX-TK1000Tunnel thermique1,000 kg/heure126.65 kW72 × 13 × 7.5 mLigne thermique tunnel continue
YSX-TK2000Tunnel thermique2,000 kg/heure136.65 kW80 × 13 × 7.5 mLigne thermique tunnel continue
YSX-PF5Thermique par lots5 t/jour140.45 kW46 × 33 × 7.5 mLigne thermique batch à modules mixtes
YSX-PF16Thermique par lots16 t/jour142.45 kW40 × 26 × 7.5 mLigne thermique batch à modules mixtes
YSX-8000Thermique intégré plus tôt8 t/jourConfiguration contrôlée50 × 30 × 8 mRéférence de projet thermique antérieur; réacteur Φ2200 × 6000 × 20 mm
YSX-16000Thermique intégré plus tôt16 t/jourConfiguration contrôlée60 × 30 × 8 mRéférence de projet thermique antérieur; réacteur Φ2800 × 6600 × 18 mm

Règle de configuration: la capacité du catalogue est une référence de planification. Débit stable, puissance installée/fonctionnelle, empreinte, récupération, pureté, les émissions et la demande des services publics nécessitent la liste des équipements approuvés, matériel représentatif et conditions d’acceptation écrites.

Informations requises avant configuration et devis

  1. Photos matérielles représentatives, spécifications et échantillon disponible.
  2. Capacité requise plus heures par équipe, équipes par jour et jours ouvrables.
  3. Résultats visés, méthode d'échantillonnage et exigences du récepteur en aval.
  4. Pays du site, puissance disponible, carburant, eau, air comprimé et limites du bâtiment.
  5. Environnement local, feu, exigences en matière de stockage et de sécurité au travail.
  6. Limite de livraison demandée: équipement, mise en page, installation, mise en service et formation.