Energies,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
17(23), P. 6015 - 6015
Published: Nov. 29, 2024
The
rapid
expansion
of
photovoltaic
(PV)
installations
across
Mediterranean
Europe
since
2007
has
resulted
in
a
substantial
increase
the
need
for
end-of-life
(EoL)
management
strategies
monocrystalline
PV
modules.
This
paper
reviews
technical
challenges
and
opportunities
associated
with
recycling
modules,
focusing
on
physical,
chemical,
thermal
processes
currently
employed.
Despite
advancements
technology,
significant
gaps
remain
infrastructure
regulatory
enforcement,
particularly
countries.
recovery
valuable
materials
such
as
silicon,
silver,
glass
presents
both
economic
environmental
benefits,
although
costs
key
barrier
to
widespread
adoption.
Our
analysis
suggests
that
optimizing
these
could
improve
their
profitability
scalability,
enabling
more
effective
resource
recovery.
concludes
recommendations
policy
development
support
sustainable
waste
region.
Advanced Functional Materials,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
unknown
Published: April 9, 2025
Abstract
Spent
copper
indium
gallium
selenium
(CIGS)
thin‐film
solar
cells
contain
valuable
metals
and
toxic
elements,
making
their
recycling
crucial
for
a
circular
economy.
The
efficient
separation
of
the
layers
within
is
successful
recycling.
However,
current
methods
interlayer
dissociation,
which
rely
on
pyrolysis
organic
reagent
dissolution,
are
slow,
produce
byproducts,
hinder
complete
component
recovery.
This
study
introduces
an
innovative
instantaneous
pressure‐difference
strategy
separating
photovoltaic
modules.
During
rapid
pressure
release
process,
water
vapor
generates
significant
differential,
causing
module
interlayers
owing
to
abrupt
expansion
vapor.
proposed
method
enables
all
components
in
waste
CIGS
150
s.
effectively
enriches
facilitates
leaching
recovery.,
while
separated
ethylene‐vinyl
acetate
polyethylene
terephthalate
exhibit
properties
comparable
those
commercial
materials.
Life
cycle
assessment
indicates
that
has
lower
environmental
footprint
cost
compared
with
conventional
methods.
Additionally,
this
approach
can
be
applied
delamination
other
retired
Overall,
provides
viable
solution
managing
end‐of‐life
panels,
contributing
development
Recycling,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
10(3), P. 86 - 86
Published: May 2, 2025
The
European
Green
Deal
emphasizes
the
development
of
renewable
energy
sources
to
combat
climate
change.
However,
as
photovoltaic
expansion
accelerates,
so
does
potential
for
increased
waste,
necessitating
effective
material
recycling
strategies.
Indium,
a
scarce
and
valuable
element
crucial
production
panels,
underscores
necessity
efficient
practices
reduce
reliance
on
virgin
resources.
In
recent
laboratory
analysis,
CIGS
panel
underwent
series
processes
including
crushing,
grinding,
homogenization.
concentration
indium,
vital
recycling,
was
meticulously
analyzed
using
ICP-MS
validated
through
microscopic
composition
analyses.
Subsequent
extraction
utilizing
3
M
HCl
H2O2,
followed
by
electrolysis,
yielded
remarkable
up
52%
indium
recovery
within
48-h
timeframe.
Importantly,
study
encompassed
both
averaged
samples
from
absorbing
layer,
emphasizing
comprehensive
approach
required
recycling.
This
critical
importance
optimizing
mitigate
environmental
impact
associated
with
disposal
panels.
By
maximizing
recovery,
not
only
are
impacts
reduced,
but
long-term
sustainability
technologies
is
also
ensured.
highlights
interconnectedness
broader
goals
achieving
circular
economy
securing
viability
systems
in
fight
against
Metals,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
14(11), P. 1282 - 1282
Published: Nov. 12, 2024
Though
indium
has
been
removed
from
the
fifth
list
(2023)
of
critical
raw
materials
for
European
Union
metals,
its
recovery
is
still
paramount
importance
due
to
wide
use
in
a
series
high-tech
industries.
As
closely
associated
with
zinc
mining,
recycling
In-bearing
wastes
also
interest,
both
profitable
and
environmental
reasons.
With
unit
operations
(in
hydrometallurgy
pyrometallurgy
or
extractive
metallurgy)
playing
key
role
indium,
present
work
reviewed
most
recent
innovations
(2024)
regarding
these
this
valuable
metal
different
solid
liquid
wastes.
Processes,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
12(11), P. 2545 - 2545
Published: Nov. 14, 2024
Being
not
as
popular
other
elements,
such
cobalt,
lithium,
and
rare
earth
both
gallium
germanium
have
wide
use
in
target
developments/industries,
thus
making
them
valuable
strategically
critical
metals.
The
principal
sources
for
the
recovery
of
metals
are
secondary
wastes
bauxite
(gallium)
or
zinc
(germanium)
industries;
also,
their
recycling
from
waste
materials
is
necessary.
characteristics
these
make
hydrometallurgical
operations
widely
useful
recovering
various
containing
them.
present
work
reviews
most
recent
applications
(in
2024)
applied
to
resources.
