Abstract: Embodiments relate to processing materials in recycling of used solar panels. A used solar panel may comprise components manufactured from materials of high purity, that are expensive to prepare from scratch. Examples of such high purity materials can include but are not limited to: metals (silver; copper; tin; lead), photovoltaic material (e.g., precisely doped crystalline silicon; CdTe), and optically transparent materials (e.g., optical glass; plastics). Accordingly, embodiments recover one or more high purity materials from a starting material pre-processed from a used solar module, by using a recycling process comprising multiple successive separation events. Such events can include, but are not limited to: chemical separation (leaching, filtration, precipitation), physical separation (e.g., shredding/sieving), thermal separation (e.g., furnace heating), and/or electrical separation (e.g., electrowinning, electrostatic).

Abstract: Delamination of a solar module (for, e.g., purposes of recycling) may be achieved by applying a rotating member(s) against surface(s) of a used solar module. In certain embodiments, the rotating member may comprise a straight router bit, which may be applied under computer control. Successive application of rotating member(s) at different heights, may afford the collection of different materials. According to one particular embodiment, a rotating router bit may be applied first against a polymer backsheet, and then at a different height against other materials comprising metals and PV material such as crystalline silicon. Collection of resulting fractions produced by delamination at different heights, can produce material (e.g., metals, silicon) of relatively high purity and suitable for reuse.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to one or more techniques that may be employed alone or in combination, in the refurbishment or recycling of used solar modules. In certain approaches, a (heated) wire may be used to cut through one or more layers (e.g., front encapsulant, back encapsulant, both front and back encapsulant, backsheet) of a solar module that is being recycled or refurbished. Some approaches may employ testing of a used solar module, alone or in combination with information (e.g., as part of a received package) regarding parameters of a used solar module such as panel size, width, length, height, thickness of glass, or others. According to specific embodiments, used solar modules may be subjected to various cleaning processes at one or more points during refurbishment/recycling.

Abstract: Embodiments of apparatuses and methods of solar module recycling, employ sieving for separation of materials. According to one embodiment, a method comprises milling a solar module to create a first feedstock comprising polymer, copper, and silicon. A first sieving of the first feedstock is performed to create a first retained fraction and a first passed fraction. The first retained fraction is re-milled. A second sieving of the first passed fraction is performed to create a second retained fraction and a second passed fraction. Electrostatic separation of the second retained fraction is performed to create a conductive fraction enriched in copper. A third sieving of the second passed fraction may create a third retained fraction and a third passed fraction. Electrostatic separation of the third retained fraction can create a conductive fraction enriched in silicon.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to one or more techniques that may be employed alone or in combination, in the refurbishment or recycling of used solar modules. In certain approaches, a (heated) wire may be used to cut through one or more layers (e.g., front encapsulant, back encapsulant, both front and back encapsulant, backsheet) of a solar module that is being recycled or refurbished. Some approaches may employ testing of a used solar module, alone or in combination with information (e.g., as part of a received package) regarding parameters of a used solar module such as panel size, width, length, height, thickness of glass, or others. According to specific embodiments, used solar modules may be subjected to various cleaning processes at one or more points during refurbishment/recycling.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to processing materials in recycling of used solar panels. A used solar panel may comprise components manufactured from materials of high purity, that are expensive to prepare from scratch. Examples of such high purity materials can include but are not limited to: metals (silver; copper; tin; lead), photovoltaic material (e.g., precisely doped crystalline silicon; CdTe), and optically transparent materials (e.g., optical glass; plastics). Accordingly, embodiments recover one or more high purity materials from a starting material pre-processed from a used solar module, by using a recycling process comprising multiple successive separation events. Such events can include, but are not limited to: chemical separation (leaching, filtration, precipitation), physical separation (e.g., shredding/sieving), thermal separation (e.g., furnace heating), and/or electrical separation (e.g., electrowinning, electrostatic).

Abstract: Embodiments relate to one or more techniques that may be employed alone or in combination, in the refurbishment or recycling of used solar modules. In certain approaches, a (heated) wire may be used to cut through one or more layers (e.g., front encapsulant, back encapsulant, both front and back encapsulant, backsheet) of a solar module that is being recycled or refurbished. Some approaches may employ testing of a used solar module, alone or in combination with information (e.g., as part of a received package) regarding parameters of a used solar module such as panel size, width, length, height, thickness of glass, or others. According to specific embodiments, used solar modules may be subjected to various cleaning processes at one or more points during refurbishment/recycling.