Investigation of Different Mechanical Methods for Photovoltaic Module Recycling

Abstract

This study compares mechanical methods for recycling glass-backsheet photovol taic (PV) modules: milling, vibration-assisted knife cutting and peeling. Significant improvements in milling achieved larger backsheet chip sizes with reduced energy consumption. Vibration-assisted knife cutting showed promises for cell sheet removal but presented notable tool wear. Peeling excelled in backsheet removal but solutions regarding peeler fixation must be found. Each method demonstrates considerable potential for PV module recycling, prompting further exploration. Recommendations include investigating sensor-integrated milling, peeling for altered modules, diverse heating methods for peeling and optimization of peeling fixation. This study contributes valuable insights towards advancing sustainable practices in the rapidly evolving field of PV module recycling.