Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of End-of-Life Crystal Silicon Photovoltaic Panels: Recovery Methods and Extended Life in Agricultural Application
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Abstract
The increasing deployment of crystalline silicon (c-Si) photovoltaic (PV) panels has raised concerns about their waste management. This study evaluated management strategies for discarded c-Si PV panels in Thailand, integrating environmental and economic analyses. Life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) were applied. The LCA can be divided into 2 parts: (1) secured landfill vs decentralized recycling by existing facilities vs centralized full recovery and (2) reusing PV panels in agricultural applications. The results revealed that secured landfills were the most environmentally burdensome (34.43 Pt), whereas centralized recycling achieved net benefits (-211.93 Pt) through emission reductions and recovery of silver, copper, and silicon. The CEA confirmed the viability of the integrated reuse-recycling systems. The integration of reusing PV panels in agriculture with recycling systems by CEA was viable.
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