01 June, 2023 — We all know that renewable energy is crucial for tackling the #climate crisis, right? Solar panels are a big part of that solution being safe, reliable, and having a minimal impact on the environment as well.
But here’s the thing: as more and more solar panels are being installed, we’re facing a new problem. Many solar panels are replaced after just 12 to 15 years, creating a potential waste issue if we lack a recycling & applying plan for these end-of-life panels.
The optimal solution for this problem would be to recycle panels completely by recovering materials. These materials can then be used to create new solar panels and reduce their cost, but only a small portion of solar panels is now recycled.
This is very unfortunate as solar panels consist of many different materials that can be extracted.
So, the alternative way is to remove the junction box, copper, aluminum frame, and separating the silicon solar cells from the glass and reuse these materials. The extracted materials can be put to good use in many different ways, for example in construction:
• The glass can replace cement in pavements, reducing waste
• Adding aluminum, polymers, and silicon to concrete can improve its durability and strength, reduce water absorption, and even make pavements less slippery and more visible at night.
This not only makes construction and waste management more environmentally friendly but also more cost-effective.
Добавить комментарий