Life cycle assessment of Al-Cu-Ag-Si recycling process from photovoltaic waste

As raw materials become increasingly scarce, it is important to efficiently recycle PV panels to recover the highest quantity and quality of secondary raw materials. This study evaluates the environmental impact and the related benefits of an innovative process for c-Si PV panels recycling, which permits to recover most of the raw materials contained in them. Life Cycle Assessment analysis was carried out with “grave-to-cradle” perspective. Inventory was supported by data from a pilot plant located in Venice (Italy). ReCiPe 2016 method was used for the impact assessment. The results showed that environmental benefits are due to the recovery of aluminium, copper, silicon, silver and glass. Normalization of impact assessment results demonstrates main relevant impact categories of this process, and gravity analysis underlines what steps in the recycling process mainly contribute to the environmental benefits. Sensitivity analysis showed that quality of recovered materials influences the environmental profile of recycling process.