Development of metal-recycling technology in waste crystalline-silicon solar cells
Dehai Lin, Zilin Liu, Xiaoduan Li, Zixiong Cao, Rihua Xiong
Abstract
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.