First outcomes from PHOTOLIFE PROJECT: process and automated pilot plant for simultaneous and integral recycling of different kinds of photovoltaic panels

Photolife project (LIFE13 ENV/IT/001033) cofinanced within LIFE+ program by the European Community, aims at the design and building of a prototype for automatic treatment of different kinds of photovoltaic panels (Si-based, Cd-Te and innovative types) according to a common process route. A demonstration activity is foreseen including the retrieval and treatment in the prototype of the collected photovoltaic devices. Laboratory data were used to formulate mass balances for the treatment of different kinds of PV panel according to a common process scheme. Photolife process includes mechanical treatment, sieving, solvent treatment of the coarse fraction and acid leaching of fine fraction. Demonstration activities will allow the characterization of EVA residues after solvent treatment and the evaluation of their reuse. Historical data of PV installation in EU were employed to estimate the fluxes of wastes resulting from the disposal of end-life photovoltaic panels during the period 2025-2045. In 2011 in Italy a dramatic increase was registered due to government incentives, but such peak was not maintained during successive years. Accordingly a big amount of wastes should be expected since 2030. More specifically, assuming a distribution function for panel life, the amount of wastes to be treated in Italy will remain around 400.000 ton/year even in the period of maximum waste disposal, i.e. 2030-2055. Preliminary economic analysis of the Photolife process evidenced that feasibility can be reached starting from 75.000 ton/y for the treatment of only Si-based panels, while larger potentiality (>200.000 ton/y) is necessary if only CdTe are fed in the plant. These results encouraged the choice of a unique process route for the treatment of different kinds of PV panels as proposed in the Photolife project. Economic feasibility is reached for potentiality in agreement with future national waste fluxes.