Producer responsibility and recycling solar photovoltaic modules

Producer responsibility and recycling solar photovoltaic modules

Rapid expansion of the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is quickly causing solar to play a growing importance in the energy mix of the world. Over the full life cycle, although to a smaller degree than traditional energy sources, PV also creates solid waste. This paper examines the potential need fo...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Energy policy Vol. 38; no. 11; pp. 7041 - 7047
Main Authors: McDonald, N.C., Pearce, J.M.
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Kidlington Elsevier Ltd 01-11-2010
Elsevier
Elsevier Science Ltd
Series:Energy Policy
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Cost analysis
Economic data
Economics
Energy
Energy economics
Energy industry
Energy policy
Engineering Sciences
Environmental Sciences
Exact sciences and technology
General, economic and professional studies
Glass
Manufacturing
Manufacturing responsibility
Miscellaneous
Modules
Natural energy
Optics
Photonic
Photovoltaic
Photovoltaic cells
Policies
Power generation
Recycling
Recycling Photovoltaic Manufacturing responsibility
Regulation
Responsibilities
Semiconductors
Solar cells
Solar energy
Studies
Waste recycling
Photovoltaic
Manufacturing responsibility
Recycling
Environmental policy
Pollution control
Pollution prevention
Hazardous waste
Responsibility
Solar cell
Waste management
Producer
Manufacturer
Profit
Cost analysis
manufacturing
recycling
photovoltaic
manufacturing responsibility
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Rapid expansion of the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is quickly causing solar to play a growing importance in the energy mix of the world. Over the full life cycle, although to a smaller degree than traditional energy sources, PV also creates solid waste. This paper examines the potential need for PV recycling policies by analyzing existing recycling protocols for the five major types of commercialized PV materials. The amount of recoverable semiconductor material and glass in a 1 m 2 area solar module for the five types of cells is quantified both physically and the profit potential of recycling is determined. The cost of landfill disposal of the whole solar module, including the glass and semiconductor was also determined for each type of solar module. It was found that the economic motivation to recycle most PV modules is unfavorable without appropriate policies. Results are discussed on the need to regulate for appropriate energy and environmental policy in the PV manufacturing industry particularly for PV containing hazardous materials. The results demonstrate the need to encourage producer responsibility not only in the PV manufacturing sector but also in the entire energy industry.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ObjectType-Article-2
ObjectType-Feature-1
ISSN:0301-4215
1873-6777
DOI:10.1016/j.enpol.2010.07.023