That's been the issue as a whole from what I have seen. There isn't a cost effective way to recycle & reuse the panels.
Supposedly there is supposed to be some value in the C-Si (Crystalline Silicon), and I know that the Tin Soldering is getting some good money per lb too, but the extraction process is extremely labor intensive, and time consuming! Once you have that out of the way the rest is all gravy... Copper, Aluminum, Glass, Silver, Gold sometimes even Platinum, and that's just the panel... I would love to break down an inverter and see what's in there!
One of the main issues is that the regulations surrounding C-Si call for it to be labeled Toxic Material... but when the powers that be run the tests on it, it doesn't register as toxic material so it remains unregulated.... but even though it's unregulated, it's still labeled toxic material and can't be processed... See the issue here? Being that I don't know the long term health effects it could have on my potential workers if I have raw C-Si lying around in barrels, or piles until I can establish a value for it I am trying to see if through these forums I can find someone that know's better then I do.
Manufacturers have some take back programs in place, but all the take back programs are in EU. A company by the name of First Solar started a recycling program internally which supposedly has worked for them, but then they removed their funding for such program and stepped back from that area, I'm guessing to re-enter when it is a more profitable plan for them. USA is grossly behind the curve on this and really needs to get on board, but the mighty dollar is key.
We're looking at roughly 50,000 tons of this stuff being scrap ready in 2015 alone, and an industry that will prospectively grow from $125 million a year in 2017 to $3.9 Billion a year in 2025 (Rough Numbers). I know that's a ways off... but if 3 years from now we're at $125 Million annual waste available for scrap, we have to be in the $50 Million mark right now as we are typing this... Wouldn't you think? Again... problem is... what the hell do we do with this stuff?
Frustrating to know you are at the cusp of a huge industry, but just a little to early to know what to do with it. I have all the ideas in place... some of which I KNOW will work, just unsure of how to offload, why couldn't I have this problem with Copper?!?!?! LMAO!!!
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