Contribution of the Recycling Stage to the Carbon Footprint in the Life Cycle of Photovoltaic Energy Use

This paper analyses the energy use of polycrystalline photovoltaic systems in their sub-processes recycling stage, as well as complementing with a quantitative analysis to calculate the energy payback time and the carbon footprint corresponding to its stage. It’s important to highlight that this paper complements a previously conducted study covering all the other stages of the photovoltaic life cycle: manufacturing, transport, installation and uninstallation. This work is based on the study of two cases examined in Peru: the first concerns a group of 5 rural houses with a capacity of 2 kW, while the second focuses on the Rubi solar plant, which has a capacity of 179.5 MW, and is located in different regions of the country. Finally, the total energy payback time of the complete photovoltaic life cycle was calculated, and the environmental impact was assessed by determining the overall carbon footprint of the life cycle of these photovoltaic systems.