Photovoltaic panels Recycling

Correct recycling of photovoltaic panels is an important process to reduce the environmental impact of electronic waste. Currently, most photovoltaic panels contain recyclable materials, which in Greenlife are easily recovered for valorization. Let’s see in detail what are the seven main materials that make up photovoltaic modules:

• Front glass, tempered
• EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) film placed on the front and back of the cell matrix
• Silicon cell matrix
• Electrical connections (precious metals) that connect the cells in series
• Backsheet, generally made of white Tedlar or glass sheet
• Aluminium frame
• Plastic junction box complete with cables

Over 95% of the materials in photovoltaic panels can be recovered and reused through proper recycling. Photovoltaic panels are made of approximately 70% glass, followed by 15% aluminium, then silicon and small amounts of copper, silver and plastics. Silicon, in particular, is a “critical raw material” and the European Commission has recently established an action plan to promote its supply within the European Union through the circular economy. EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) has the function of fixing the cells to the cover glass and ensuring good dielectric insulation. The metals present in the panels are mainly aluminium, but in small parts there are also precious metals such as silver and copper. Silver, in particular, is a metal that has high electrical and thermal conductivity and for this reason it is used in photovoltaic panels and in electronics. Copper and silver can be recycled repeatedly without losing their qualities. Furthermore, recycling reduces CO2 emissions, energy consumption and environmental impacts during the extraction process. The same goes for aluminium. Aluminium recycling is a particularly important activity for the Italian economy, as it lacks raw materials. Aluminium recycling allows you to save 95% of the energy needed to produce it from the raw material. Another infinitely recyclable component is glass. From photovoltaic panels, we can obtain clean glass that is in all respects an end-of-waste product. We are able to supply it to recovery companies in three different grain sizes. Recycling glass is important to limit the energy consumption necessary for the production of this material from scratch, as recycled glass has the same characteristics and properties as virgin raw material. Through Cipher Engineers, solar and photovoltaic panels are treated with the best available techniques, which guarantee high levels of recycling. In our plant, we contribute to making the economy more circular.