Solar Panel Recycling Process
RECYCLABLE COMPONENTS
STEP 1: Collection of waste panels
silicon-based panel
Thin-Film based panel
76%
GLASS
10%
PLASTIC
8%
ALUMINUM
5%
SILICON
1%
METALS
reused
89%
GLASS
4%
PLASTIC
6%
ALUMINUM
1%
METALS
GLASS
95%
ALUMINUM
100%
reused
STEP 2: Aluminum and glass parts are disassembled
STEP 1: Collection of waste panels
STEP 2: Shredding the PV panels to remove lamination
85%
reused
SILICON
STEP 4: Processing silicon wafers
90%
reused
GLASS
95%
STEP 3: Processing the panels to separate metal and glass
reused
SEMI-CONDUCTOR MATERIAL
80%
reused
CELL MODULES
STEP 3: Thermal process to separate cell modules