https://doi.org/10.1051/epjpv/2024035
Original Article
Study, qualitative-quantitative analysis, and sizing of the environmental impact of the photovoltaic panel recycling process
1
Departamento de Ingeniería − Sección electricidad y electrónica, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, Lima, Peru
2
Facultad de educación, Universidad Nacional Hermilio Valdizán, Huánuco, Peru
* e-mail: m.yovera@pucp.edu.pe
Received:
10
March
2024
Accepted:
10
October
2024
Published online: 25 November 2024
This study investigates the efficiency and environmental impact of photovoltaic panel recycling processes through qualitative and quantitative analyses, focusing on three case studies in Peru. The research addresses the pressing problem of solar panel waste management at the end of their useful life; this aspect is of particular importance due to the current boom in renewable energies. The first case study concerns a group of 5 rural houses in Puno consuming 10 kWh/day. The second case examines the rooftop PV system of the Institute of Mining Engineering of Peru, with a capacity of 20 kW. The third case explores the Rubi solar power plant in Moquegua, with a capacity of 179.5 MW. The qualitative analysis details the sub-processes involved in solar panel recycling, while the quantitative analysis evaluates the energy payback time (EPBT) for each case. In addition, the study evaluates the environmental impact by measuring the total carbon footprint of the recycling processes. The results reveal the ratio in terms of carbon footprint of the panel recycling process to the total lifetime of the panel. This research provides a novel perspective on the use of photovoltaic panels as renewable energy and suggests future avenues for improving recycling technologies and policies.
Key words: Photovoltaic cycle / energy payback time (EPBT) / carbon footprint / photovoltaic panels / recycling
© M.E.A. Yovera Cortez et al., Published by EDP Sciences, 2024
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
