Disposal and recycling of end-of-life PV modules

Recycling can be a cost-effective way to dispose of end-of-life PV modules. Recycling is likely economic if key components (e.g. Si wafers and/or glass sheets) can be salvaged intact, or if the modules are classified as “hazardous” under existing environmental regulations. End-of-life PV modules based on thin-film CuInSe₂, thin-film CdTe, amorphous silicon and crystalline silicon will likely not be classified as “hazardous” under existing US National regulations; but further testing is required. End-of-life CuInSe₂, CdTe and crystalline Si PV modules may all be classified as “hazardous” under more-restrictive state regulations, e.g. in California. In every case, recycling can simplify handling and disposal of end-of-life modules