Development of metal-recycling technology in waste crystalline-silicon solar cells

Abstract Solar energy is currently one of the most promising clean energy sources and the use of solar energy has led to a rapid increase in the number of solar cells. As one of the fastest-growing electronic wastes, the resource treatment of solar cells at the end of their life should not be neglected. This review discusses the trend for the market development of crystalline-silicon solar cells and analyzes their physical structure and composition. It also discusses the current domestic and international recycling technologies for crystalline-silicon solar cells, including manual dismantling, inorganic acid dissolution, the combination of heat-treatment and chemical methods, and organic solvent dissolution. The shortcomings of the above treatment methods are discussed and some views on the recycling of waste crystalline-silicon solar cells are presented. Constructive suggestions for the green and sustainable development of crystalline-silicon solar cells are put forward by comparing different treatment-recycling processes.