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The only GaAs involved in solar is an optional amount in the power circuitry. CdTe was briefly a thing for abiut 30% of the market, but peoplewill want the Tel
by Schroedingersat 4y ago
The only GaAs involved in solar is an optional amount in the power circuitry.
CdTe was briefly a thing for abiut 30% of the market, but peoplewill want the Telerium soon enough. Modern panels are sand and about 50g/kW net of silver. Recycling is mandatory.
- landemva 4y agoI don't think solar cell recycling is mandatory, at least west of Mississippi. Going to need a reclamation fee added on to purchase price to get these disposed of in a different manner than the old tire dumps.
- Schroedingersat 4y agoThe Te, Ag, and Cu is plenty valuable (especially old high end panels with 50-100g of silver), and developed nations which already have recycling fees that build recycling supply chains and so reduce costs of processing will pay for them. There have already been trials for industrial scale reprocessing of the Si into new panels -- which should give old monocrystalline panels similar value after reprocessing to new due to material reductions offsetting the labour. It looks like there is some motion towards responsibility though https://www.solarrecycle.org/copy-of-vendors https://www.solarrecycle.org/copy-of-vendors And even paid decomissioning if they have some limited life left https://fabtech.net/ https://fabtech.net/ Plus even if you don't tear it apart it's still a piece of hail resistant glass that could have various uses. Frost the top and you have a table. Find use for 20 such items in your lifetime and none will make it to landfill.