End-of-Life Management of Silicon PV Modules: The Forgotten Case of Reuse, with Dr Rabin Basnet

Silicon photovoltaic (Si-PV) technology is becoming a cornerstone in the global transition towards sustainable and clean energy. With significant innovative progress throughout its supply chain, the PV industry has substantially reduced the cost per watt, making it one of the cheapest energy sources available. As a result, the deployment rate of Si-PV is increasing exponentially. Si-PV modules are designed to be robust, with an expected operational life of over 30 years. However, in reality, many modules are decommissioned well before this, often within 15 years, due to factors such as power degradation, physical damage, technical failures, economic motivations, and repowering efforts.

Currently, the management of decommissioned modules is largely inadequate, often involving stockpiling and landfilling. As more countries classify PV modules as electronic waste, landfilling—a practice rooted in the traditional linear economy—is becoming increasingly unsustainable and subject to regulatory restrictions. This necessitates the adoption of more sustainable approaches for managing decommissioned modules. The concept of circularity is gaining traction in the PV industry, with researchers advocating for its implementation to enhance the sustainability of PV technology. Recycling emerges as a crucial strategy to prevent the landfilling of decommissioned PV modules.

The commercialization of PV recycling is still in its early stages. Ideally, recycling should be considered after exploring other strategies within the circular economy framework. However, current research indicates that recycling is the most extensively studied approach for managing decommissioned PV modules. Many decommissioned modules are still functional, albeit at reduced efficiencies (typically 80-90% of the original nameplate power). These modules can be reused either as they are or through repair or refurbishment for a second life.

While the reuse of PV modules is considered a better option within the waste hierarchy of the circular economy concept, its adoption in the real world has been slow. This is primarily due to several barriers that hinder the widespread adoption of PV module reuse, including consumer perception of inferior products and safety risks, concerns about liability and warranty limitations, lack of certification and standards, and unfavourable government policies.

In this ICEDS Energy Seminar, Dr Rabin Basnet will evaluate the global status of Si-PV module reuse practices within social, environmental, economic, technical, and legislative frameworks.

About the speaker:
Dr Basnet is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the College of Engineering & Computer Science at ANU, after completing his PhD at ANU in 2020. Prior to this, he worked at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE as a research assistant from October 2013 to April 2016. Dr Basnet also has a Master of Science, specialising in Renewable Energy Management, from the University of Freiburg, and a Bachelor of Engineering from the Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk Campus, Nepal.

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