Current Status and Utilization Technology of End-of-Life Photovoltaic Modules

Recently, it is increasing a amount of installed solar-cell rapidly, and end-of-life photovoltaic(ELP) modules are generated in according to the reduction of cell efficiency largely. Recycling of ELP modules are begun at an advanced nation already, but there are bring about environmental contamination and resource recovery problems owing to not treated ELP modules because of economic cost completely. First of all, there were researched basic study for treatment conditions of used solar cell inspection, dismantling of aluminum frame, crushing / grinding & separation of tempered glass, removal of back sheet & EVA film, leaching & precipitation recovery of valuable metals and treatment of waste water. Therefore, we establish optimum conditions through carried out of designed apparatus, installation of equipment, test operation & trouble shooting in scale of 1ton/day pilot plant test. Following to economic review, it does have the economic efficiency until to the case of tempered glass recovery, but does not have the economic value in case of total processes until to recover the valuable metals. However, there are guaranteed economic value if we are gained a large amount of the expenses through EPR supported system. It was confirmed the commercialized possibility of ELP modules recycling if there were established on the collecting ELP modules, reusing criteria, economical technology, enactment of directives and enforcement of EPR supported system efficiently.