Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 19, 2012
End of life PV
Solar energy is regarded as a clean and green source of energy. But what happens to PV panels after the end of their life time?
Following massive growth in the photo voltaic sector with world class R&D and technology innovations, established PV industries are facing the challenge of enabling proper disposal of PV modules after they cease to work or get damaged. Modules typically have a life of 25 to 30 years from the time of installation and a fraction of them get damaged during transportation and commissioning at site. PV modules contain glass, aluminium and semi-conductor material which can be recycled for use in new modules and other products. There are some processes in place, that help in recovering these ingredient components. Crystalline-Silicon and Cadmium-Teluride modules are crushed in a mill and different constituent elements are separated. The glass that is extracted is readily accepted by glass foam/glass insulation industries and the semiconductor material is used in new solar modules.
Leading CdTe module manufacturer First Solar has developed a process for efficient material recovery from non-functional modules. Their process claims to recover 90% of glass and 95% of semiconductor material. 80% recovery of tellurium is also an expected outcome of their recycling procedure.
The solar industry is well ahead of its times and is gearing up to come up with sustainable solutions and suitable processes for safe and friendly PV module disposal and reuse for all types of PV technologies. This will enable the solar sector to offer100% green energy to the world.
Following massive growth in the photo voltaic sector with world class R&D and technology innovations, established PV industries are facing the challenge of enabling proper disposal of PV modules after they cease to work or get damaged. Modules typically have a life of 25 to 30 years from the time of installation and a fraction of them get damaged during transportation and commissioning at site. PV modules contain glass, aluminium and semi-conductor material which can be recycled for use in new modules and other products. There are some processes in place, that help in recovering these ingredient components. Crystalline-Silicon and Cadmium-Teluride modules are crushed in a mill and different constituent elements are separated. The glass that is extracted is readily accepted by glass foam/glass insulation industries and the semiconductor material is used in new solar modules.
Leading CdTe module manufacturer First Solar has developed a process for efficient material recovery from non-functional modules. Their process claims to recover 90% of glass and 95% of semiconductor material. 80% recovery of tellurium is also an expected outcome of their recycling procedure.
The solar industry is well ahead of its times and is gearing up to come up with sustainable solutions and suitable processes for safe and friendly PV module disposal and reuse for all types of PV technologies. This will enable the solar sector to offer100% green energy to the world.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
The Green Leap
This might just be the beginning of an era, perhaps a green era when developed and developing countries are gearing up to take bigger and bolder strides and leaps to enter the green world.
It has been well understood that energy independence and energy efficiency are not only an integral part of India's national mission towards building a sustainable future but also important goals to achieve at an individual level.
Let us use this blog as a platform to freely discuss various technologies, innovations and government policies in the field of renewable energy. Feel free to share your ideas, thoughts, facts and interesting articles related to Renewable Energy in India and across the globe.
Welcome to Energy Harvest, the be-all and end-all platform for information on renewable energy!
It has been well understood that energy independence and energy efficiency are not only an integral part of India's national mission towards building a sustainable future but also important goals to achieve at an individual level.
Let us use this blog as a platform to freely discuss various technologies, innovations and government policies in the field of renewable energy. Feel free to share your ideas, thoughts, facts and interesting articles related to Renewable Energy in India and across the globe.
Welcome to Energy Harvest, the be-all and end-all platform for information on renewable energy!
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