IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jcltec/v6y2024i2p22-452d1372509.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sustainable Treatment of Spent Photovoltaic Solar Panels Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Its Economic Significance

Author

Listed:
  • Ping Fa Chiang

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330000, China)

  • Shanshan Han

    (School of Economics and Management, Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330000, China)

  • Mugabekazi Joie Claire

    (College of Geomatics, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Xi’an 710054, China)

  • Ndungutse Jean Maurice

    (Institute of Environmental Science, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China)

  • Mohammadtaghi Vakili

    (Orlen Unicre a.s., Revoluční 1521/84, 400 01 Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic)

  • Abdulmoseen Segun Giwa

    (School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Nanchang Institute of Science and Technology, Nanchang 330000, China)

Abstract

In the past few decades, the solar energy market has increased significantly, with an increasing number of photovoltaic (PV) modules being deployed around the world each year. Some believe that these PV modules have a lifespan of around 25–30 years. As their lifetime is limited, solar panels wind up in the waste stream after their end of life (EoL). Several ecological challenges are associated with their inappropriate disposal due to the presence of hazardous heavy metals (HMs). Some studies have reported different treatment technologies, including pyrolysis, stabilization, physical separation, landfill, and the use of chemicals. Each proposed treatment technique pollutes the environment and underutilizes the potential resources present in discarded solar panels (DSPs). This review recommends thermal plasma pyrolysis as a promising treatment technology. This process will have significant advantages, such as preventing toxic HMs from contaminating the soil and groundwater, reducing the amount of e-waste from DSPs in an environmentally friendly and economical way, and allows the utilization of the valuable resources contained in EoL photovoltaic solar panel modules by converting them into hydrogen-rich syngas to generate thermal energy, electricity, and non-leachable slag that can be used as an additive in other treatment processes or as a conditioner to improve soil properties. However, plasma pyrolysis uses a high temperature to break down waste materials, a challenge which can be offset by the integration of this process in anaerobic digestion (AD), as the slag from plasma pyrolysis can be used as an additive in AD treatments to produce high yields of biogas and improve nutrient recovery. Moreover, the produced energy from both processes can operate the entire plant in which they take place and increase the net energy production, a resource which can be sold for an additional income. Future challenges and recommendations are also highlighted.

Suggested Citation

  • Ping Fa Chiang & Shanshan Han & Mugabekazi Joie Claire & Ndungutse Jean Maurice & Mohammadtaghi Vakili & Abdulmoseen Segun Giwa, 2024. "Sustainable Treatment of Spent Photovoltaic Solar Panels Using Plasma Pyrolysis Technology and Its Economic Significance," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 6(2), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:6:y:2024:i:2:p:22-452:d:1372509
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/6/2/22/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2571-8797/6/2/22/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Mika Pahnila & Aki Koskela & Petri Sulasalmi & Timo Fabritius, 2023. "A Review of Pyrolysis Technologies and the Effect of Process Parameters on Biocarbon Properties," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-27, October.
    2. Ahmed Rida Galaly, 2022. "Sustainable Development Solutions for the Medical Waste Problem Using Thermal Plasmas," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-12, September.
    3. Tholkappiyan Ramachandran & Abdel-Hamid I. Mourad & Fathalla Hamed, 2022. "A Review on Solar Energy Utilization and Projects: Development in and around the UAE," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-27, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Uchechi Ukaegbu & Lagouge Tartibu & C. W. Lim, 2024. "Optimization of Solar-Assisted CCHP Systems: Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Emissions Through Harris Hawks-Based Mathematical Modeling," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-21, December.
    2. Guido Busca & Elena Spennati & Matteo Borella & Alessandro A. Casazza & Gabriella Garbarino, 2025. "On the Exploitation of Lignin Slow Pyrolysis Products," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-17, February.
    3. McCloskey, PJ & Malheiros Remor, Rodrigo, 2025. "The approach for Abu Dhabi’s solar energy: Centralised or Decentralised," MPRA Paper 124740, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 13 May 2025.
    4. Xia Zhang & Yiyang Wang & Panjie Su & Weida Zeng & Jingzhe Zhu & Zongshou Cai, 2025. "Sustainable Biochar Fertiliser Production Using Melt Adsorption and Optimisation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-16, February.
    5. Shaima A. Alnaqbi & Abdul Hai Alami, 2023. "Sustainability and Renewable Energy in the UAE: A Case Study of Sharjah," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-30, October.
    6. Wojciech Jerzak & Esther Acha & Bin Li, 2024. "Comprehensive Review of Biomass Pyrolysis: Conventional and Advanced Technologies, Reactor Designs, Product Compositions and Yields, and Techno-Economic Analysis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(20), pages 1-31, October.
    7. Mladen Bošnjaković & Mato Galović & Jasmin Kuprešak & Tomislav Bošnjaković, 2023. "The End of Life of PV Systems: Is Europe Ready for It?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-22, November.
    8. Jenn-Jong Shieh & Kuo-Ing Hwu & Sheng-Ju Chen, 2024. "Two Types of Asymmetric Switched-Capacitor Five-Level Single-Phase DC-AC Inverters for Renewable Energy Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-31, February.
    9. Diego Voccia & Lucrezia Lamastra, 2024. "Unpacking the Carbon Balance: Biochar Production from Forest Residues and Its Impact on Sustainability," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-11, September.
    10. Łukasz Augustowski & Piotr Kułyk, 2023. "The Economic Profitability of Photovoltaic Installations in Households in Poland from a New Policy Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-16, November.
    11. Teka Tesfaye Mengesha & Venkata Ramayya Ancha & Abebe Nigussie & Million Merid Afessa & Ramchandra Bhandari, 2025. "Effect of Particle Size and Heating Rate on Formation of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons During Corn Cob Biomass Pyrolysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-34, May.
    12. Bisen, Divya & Chouhan, Ashish Pratap Singh & Pant, Manish & Chakma, Sankar, 2025. "Advancement of thermochemical conversion and the potential of biomasses for production of clean energy: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    13. Evan Terrell, 2024. "Estimation of Fuel Properties for the Heavy Fraction of Biomass Pyrolysis Oil Consisting of Proposed Structures for Pyrolytic Lignin and Humins," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-16, April.
    14. Hamed M. Hussain & Khalil Rahi & Mohammednoor Al Tarawneh & Christopher Preece, 2022. "Developing Applicable Scenarios to Install and Utilize Solar Panels in the Houses of Abu Dhabi City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-33, November.
    15. Adam Krzymowski, 2022. "Energy Transformation and the UAE Green Economy: Trade Exchange and Relations with Three Seas Initiative Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-20, November.
    16. Andrius Tamošiūnas & Mindaugas Milieška & Dovilė Gimžauskaitė & Mindaugas Aikas & Rolandas Uscila & Kęstutis Zakarauskas & Sebastian Fendt & Sebastian Bastek & Hartmut Spliethoff, 2025. "Plasma Gasification of Medical Plastic Waste to Syngas in a Greenhouse Gas (CO 2 ) Environment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-15, February.
    17. Marcin Landrat & Mamo Abawalo & Krzysztof Pikoń & Paulos Asefa Fufa & Semira Seyid, 2024. "Assessing the Potential of Teff Husk for Biochar Production through Slow Pyrolysis: Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature on Biochar Yield," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-17, April.
    18. I. Fernández & S. F. Pérez & J. Fernández-Ferreras & T. Llano, 2024. "Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis of Forest Biomass," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-34, September.
    19. Prakhar Talwar & Mariana Alzate Agudelo & Sonil Nanda, 2025. "Pyrolysis Process, Reactors, Products, and Applications: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-32, June.
    20. Hamoud Alafnan & Xiaoze Pei & Diaa-Eldin A. Mansour & Moanis Khedr & Wenjuan Song & Ibrahim Alsaleh & Abdullah Albaker & Mansoor Alturki & Xianwu Zeng, 2023. "Impact of Copper Stabilizer Thickness on SFCL Performance with PV-Based DC Systems Using a Multilayer Thermoelectric Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-15, April.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jcltec:v:6:y:2024:i:2:p:22-452:d:1372509. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.