Several novel methods for the separation of materials prior to recycling or reuse have been developed in CABRISS. Recovered silicon from broken wafers and cells has been purified to solar grade silicon from lower quality metallurgical grade silicon, and Si kerf has been refined to 3N.
First efforts to reuse recycled materials in the PV value chain have been successfully demonstrated (ingots, solar cells, PV modules, wafer equivalents from recycled silicon powders, indium, and of recycled silver).
The proof of quality of recycled materials has been shown. Cz-Si/multi-Si wafers made from the recycled Si feedstock have been tested, silicon modules have been produced.
The project’s business model has been developed on 3 promising near to market key exploitable results. The waste recycling companies involved in the CABRISS project already believe that end of life photovoltaic crystalline modules can generate a positive commercial value. Analysis carried out within the CABRISS project highlights that a considerable amount of value resides in the solar materials not currently recycled as a matter of routine, namely in the silicon, silver and high purity glass (new delamination process).
CABRISS aims to make measurable reductions in the level of PV waste generation and in resource use in the medium term by developing and optimizing better recycling processes for critical materials such as silicon, silver, and indium. The project will have a considerable societal impact by improving resource efficiency, and avoiding dangerous wastes. In addition, CABRISS aims at reducing the environmental impact of the recycling process itself, optimising recycling procedures according to results of the LCA.
By 2018, the WEEE directive 2012/19/EU requires the recovery of 85% of PV waste, with the recycling and reuse of 80%. The obligations for PV manufacturers and distributors brought about by the new legislation create a need for new technology developments that are addressed by CABRISS. The project helps to transform legal obligations into new business opportunities. Economically viable processes to recycle silicon wafer kerf would be beneficial to ingot and wafering companies as they would gain value from selling their silicon powder. The economic recycling of broken or out-of-specification cells and modules would provide additional revenue to these companies and could help to offset the declining profitability against Asian competitors. More generally, a circular economy in recycled PV materials would prevent European PV manufacturers from importing a significant part of their needs for raw materials and could help insulate them from future price volatility.
Recycling companies could enhance their profit through the recovery of valuable materials like silicon, silver and high purity glass. The companies involved in the consortium have a very high interest in applying the developed innovations in their field of business, thereby creating new jobs and even new fields of economic activity. Europe has the potential to be the world’s technological testbed and recycling leader when it comes to PV materials; and technologies developed within CABRISS—and put into industrial practice within Europe—could put European companies at an advantage when other regions’ PV waste volumes increase.
