China Scientists Have Solved the Biggest Issue of Silicon Solar Panels by Creating One That’s 100% Recycled

Trina Solar, a leading Chinese solar energy company, recently introduced a groundbreaking innovation that could affect the sustainability of the photovoltaic industry with the world’s first fully recycled silicon solar panel. This development demonstrates that it’s possible to reuse solar panels without compromising their efficiency.

Context. Solar panels typically last two to three decades before significant degradation occurs. However, the challenge is that they can’t be fully recycled most of the time. Additionally, when they can, it’s very costly.

The aluminum frame isn’t the problem because it can be separated from the solar panel and reused. The protective glass of the photovoltaic cells isn’t either, considering it’s 95% recyclable. Meanwhile, the silicon wafers can also be separated through heat treatment at 900 degrees Fahrenheit. The remaining components are crushed or separated through chemical processes to obtain recyclable materials.

What happened. Trina Solar has developed the first fully recycled crystalline silicon photovoltaic panel. The company’s researchers have patented 37 recycling technologies, which allow them to separate and reuse silicon, aluminum, glass, and silver from discarded modules to create new, functional, and equally efficient panels.

The techniques include internally developed separating agents, chemical etching technologies to dissolve unwanted materials, and methods of extracting silver, one of the problematic materials, through wet treatments. Researchers were able to reuse all valuable components from disused solar panels, marking a new sustainability milestone for the industry.

20.7% efficiency. Trina Solar’s 100% recycled solar panel is n-type with TOPcon (Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact) cells, which is one of the most promising technologies in silicon panels.

Despite its unique construction, it has a power output of more than 645 watts and a conversion efficiency of 20.7%. This isn’t far from traditionally manufactured solar panels but still below the 25% achieved by TOPCon panels straight from the factory.

Recycle and start again. Trina Solar has demonstrated that it’s possible to reuse the most valuable materials from discarded solar panels without compromising the efficiency and power output of the new panel.

This is a significant achievement considering that many countries require 80% of solar panel materials to be recycled. It’s also a first step towards a world where we no longer have to mine metals to make solar panels when the ones we have degrade.

Image | Trina Solar

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