PVRe2
Project long title
Sustainable photovoltaics
Project description
Sustainable Processes are of high importance for current and also future technologies. This includes the use of sustainable resources as well as the end-of-life management. Although Photovoltaics (PV) is usually seen as a green energy provider based on renewable energy source, sustainability plays only a small role in PV module technology. This starts with the selection of the used materials. At the moment the focus is on increasing efficiency and lowering production costs. Recycle- and repairability as well as the omission and/or reduction of critical materials (e.g. lead and fluorine) play only a secondary role. At the end of their life old and defect modules are currently recycled in non-specialized treatment plants. A dedicated waste management system for optimal resource recovery does not exist. The research project PVRe² will take on the challenge of improving the sustainability of PV, while still keeping reliability and efficiency on a high level.
Entwicklung einer nachhaltigen PV Modultechnologie
Aims of the project
- Optimization of recycling processes for PV modules
- Enhancement of recyclability and minimization of environmental effects through development of sustainable PV modules
- Development of in-field repair solutions for damaged PV modules
- Assessment of the technological measures in relation to their economic and ecological effects
List of publications (excerpt)
Dobra, T., Vollprecht, D., & Pomberger, R. (2021). Thermal delamination of end-of-life crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules. Waste management & research, 40(1), 96 - 103
Dobra, T., Oreski, G., & Figl, H. (2021). Environmental Assessment of Ecodesign Measures for Silicon Based Photovoltaic Modules. e-nova 2021.
Dobra, T., Hilweg, M., Eder, G. C., Voronko, Y., Oreski, G., Feldbacher, S., Neumaier, L., Lenck, N., & Figl, H. (2021). Environmental and economic assessment of repair solutions for cracked backsheets in photovoltaic modules. 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection SEEP2021.
Dobra, T., Wellacher, M., & Pomberger, R. (2020). End-of-Life management of photovoltaic panels in Austria: current situation and outlook. Detritus, 10(June), 75 - 81.
Dobra, T., Wellacher, M., & Pomberger, R. (2020). Mechanische Verbundsauftrennung beim Recycling von c-Si Photovoltaikmodulen: Aktueller Stand und neue Ansätze. Recy & DepoTech 2020: Konferenzband zur 15. Recy & DepoTech-Konferenz
Dobra, T., & Wellacher, M. (2019). End-of-Life Management of Si-Wafer Based Photovoltaic Panels and its Effect on Sustainability Assessment. e-nova 2019.
Funding
Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft (FFG)
Project partner
CTR Carinthian Tech Research AG (CTR)
ENcome Energy Performance GmbH
Österreichisches Forschungsinstitut für Chemie und Technik (OFI)
Peter Seppele Gesellschaft m.b.H.
Polymer Competence Center Leoben GmbH (PCCL)
You can send a message directly to the working group leader Mister Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Thomas Nigl by using the following form.
Thomas Nigl
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont., BSc.
Working Group Leader
Phone: +43 3842 / 402-5124
Cell: +43 676 / 84 53 86-824
Fax: +43 3842 / 402-5102
E-mail: