Photovoltaic (PV) Panel Waste Volumes-6

This article provides introductory information on PV panel composition and waste classification. PV panels, as noted in previous sections, create unique waste management challenges alongside forecasts of growing waste streams. Outside the EU, end-of-life treatment requirements for PV panels globally are determined by waste regulations applied to any waste in general rather than allocated specifically to PV. Waste regulations are based on the classification of waste. This classification is shaped according to waste composition, particularly with regard to any components considered hazardous. Waste classification tests determine permitted and prohibited shipment, processing, recycling and disposal routes. A comprehensive overview of the wide range of global PV waste classifications falls outside the scope of this article. Instead, in this series, we have characterized the materials found in PV panels and the corresponding waste classification considerations. These determine the required treatment and disposal routes for PV panels in cases where other more specific waste classifications and regulations do not apply. Table 1 shows the market share of PV panels by technology group between 2014 and 2030. [caption id="attachment_128485" align="aligncenter"] Table 1. Market share of PV panels by technology group (2014-2030)[/caption]

Panel Composition Technology Trends

To achieve optimal waste treatment for different PV product categories, the composition of PV panels must be taken into account. PV panels can be divided according to the technology categories shown in Table 2. Different technology types typically differ in the materials used in their manufacture and may contain various levels of hazardous substances that must be considered during processing. C-Si PV is the oldest PV technology and currently dominates the market with approximately 92% market share. Polycrystalline silicon panels hold 55% and monocrystalline silicon panels 45% of the c-Si technology share respectively. Amorphous silicon products have ceased production in recent years due to low efficiency rates, and their current market share is negligible. Two thin-film PV panel technologies account for 7% of the PV market, 2% for CIGS panels and 5% for CdTe panels. The following analysis will not further address CPV and other technologies, as they hold market shares of less than 1%. [caption id="attachment_128486" align="aligncenter"] Table 2. Top ten PV manufacturers in 2015[/caption] While growth in market share of new devices is anticipated, mainstream products, particularly c-Si panels, are expected to maintain market dominance through 2030. As shown in Table 2, silicon technology has significant potential for improvement at reasonable cost if new process steps are applied to existing production lines. For example, an increase is anticipated in the use of heterojunction cells that provide higher efficiency and performance rates. According to Lux Research, CIGS technology has significant potential for better efficiencies and can gain market share while CdTe growth is not expected. In the long term, CIGS alternatives (such as substituting indium and gallium with zinc and tin), heavy metal cells with perovskite structures and advanced III-V cells could capture approximately 10% market share. The same can be said for OPV and dye-sensitized cells. Recent reports show that OPV has achieved 11% efficiency and dye-sensitized cells 12% efficiency. In line with a PV market dominated largely by c-Si PV, all major panel manufacturers except First Solar rely on silicon-based PV panel technologies. In 2015, the top ten manufacturers of PV panels represented an annual production capacity of 32 GW, approximately two-thirds of the global PV market estimated at 47 GW (see Table 2). In our next article, we will continue to discuss and reiterate the trends of components, wishing you healthy days.

Cemil Koyunoğlu Yalova University Faculty of Engineering Department of Energy Systems Engineering