Recycling modes of photovoltaic modules

The different business models for recycling PV modules are analyzed under the background of PV technology progress and its development trend in China. The cost and revenue analysis of recycling is conducted for two mainstream PV technologies in China, polycrystalline silicon and CIGS (Cu, In, Ga, Se) solar cells. The national stock of semiconductor materials of these two PV technologies by 2020 is estimated according to the installment target set by Chinese Strategic Action Plan for Energy Development (2014-2020). The results show that the revenue of recycling, which mainly comes from the recovered semiconductor materials, can surpass the cost for recycling at current price for both technologies. Two uncertainties for PV recycling business are discussed: (1) the impact of market dynamics of the semiconductor materials on the revenue; and (2) the different spatial patterns of PV application on the cost of reverse logistics. In conclusion, we suggest applying extended producer responsibility principle in PV industry concerning both material choice and business models in development of PV technology. ?, 2015, Editorial Board of Journal of Basic Science and Engineering. All right reserved.EI中文核心期刊要目总览(PKU)中国科技核心期刊(ISTIC)59-672