Management of end-of-life photovoltaic panels based on stabilization using Portland cement

ABSTR A C T Solar Photovoltaic Panels (solar PVPs) have been widely used as an alternative to fossil fuels. However, in order for solar PVPs to be an environmentally friendly alternative, planning for their end of life cycle (EoL) is also required. This work addresses the suitability of a safe disposal of waste from EoL solar PVPs of 1st and 2nd generation solar PVPs by stabilization in cement mortars.& nbsp;The panels 1st generation EoL solar PVPs were initially mechanically and thermally pretreated (550 ?C for 30 min), in order to remove the polymer sheets. A mixture of glass, silicon, electrodes, and ash was obtained and separated in a trommel. Experiments were carried out with three types of materials: separated semiconductor (silicon), glass and mixed waste. The mixed waste con -sisted of glass, silicon and ash as retrieved following manual removal of only the electrodes from the material generated by the pretreatment. 2nd generation EoL solar PVPs were shredded to dust and were tested without further treatment. A series of mortar samples containing 1-20% w/w of the aforementioned samples as aggregate substitute were prepared according to (CEN, EN 196-1, 2016) and their flexural and compressive strength was measured at ages of 2, 7 and 28 days. After 28d of curing, the samples were subjected to Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP) tests and leached metals were measured by ICP-OES.& nbsp;In both cases the TCLP tests results indicated that stabilization was successful since no sig-nificant or harmful metal amount was detected and consequently, safe disposal of the stabilized waste can be secured.

Automated summary

This study successfully addresses the safe disposal of waste from end of life (EoL) solar PVPs through stabilization in cement mortars, ensuring the environmentally friendly alternative can be secured.