Carbon reduction potential assessment of typical waste photovoltaic panel recycling technologies under life cycle assessment

ZHAO Da-ming; MIAO Bo; WU Yang; WANG Zhong-qiang; CUI Tian-ao; LIU Zhe; LV Long-yi; GAO Wen-fang

PDF(3260 KB)

China Environmental Science ›› 2026, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (3) : 1736-1746.

Carbon reduction potential assessment of typical waste photovoltaic panel recycling technologies under life cycle assessment

ZHAO Da-ming¹, MIAO Bo¹, WU Yang^2,3,5, WANG Zhong-qiang², CUI Tian-ao^2,4,5, LIU Zhe², LV Long-yi², GAO Wen-fang²

Author information +

History +

Abstract

The recycling of waste photovoltaic panels is of great significance for environmental protection and the realization of resource recycling. Under the national dual carbon policy, the carbon footprint assessment, evaluation of waste photovoltaic panel recycling and treatment technology have become key issues for the sustainable development of the photovoltaic industry. This paper establishes a carbon footprint evaluation system for the recycling of waste photovoltaic panels. Using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the environmental impact assessment and carbon footprint analysis are conducted for three typical recycling technologies for waste photovoltaic panels (i.e., the alkaline-acid electrolysis method (PI), the improved reverse electroplating-alkaline-acid method (PII), and the improved salt etching method (PIII)). Through LCA normalization analysis, the environmental impacts of the three processes are typical alkali-acid electrowinning method > improved reverse electroplating-alkali-acid method > improved salt etching method. Sensitivity analysis indicates that PI and PII use relatively small amounts of hydrofluoric acid and acetic acid, resulting in the highest sensitivity. Material flow and carbon flow analysis clearly demonstrated the sources and sinks of material consumption and carbon emissions. The results showed that the chemical waste generation and carbon emissions of PIII were significantly reduced. Further carbon reduction potential analysis explored the improvement space for each process in terms of emissions reduction, concluding that all three processes have high carbon reduction potential under a low-carbon energy scenario, with the improved salt etching method achieving a comprehensive carbon reduction potential of up to 82%. Carbon footprint analysis indicate that the improved salt etching method achieves the best performance (0.83kg CO₂eq). This study precisely quantifies the carbon footprint of waste photovoltaic panel recycling technologies and identifies directions for green and low-carbon development, providing reference for government and enterprise decision-making and optimization of waste photovoltaic panel recycling technologies.

Key words

waste photovoltaic panels / treatment technology / carbon footprint / life cycle assessment / carbon reduction potential

Cite this article

EndNote

Ris (Procite)

Bibtex

Download Citations

ZHAO Da-ming, MIAO Bo, WU Yang, WANG Zhong-qiang, CUI Tian-ao, LIU Zhe, LV Long-yi, GAO Wen-fang. Carbon reduction potential assessment of typical waste photovoltaic panel recycling technologies under life cycle assessment[J]. China Environmental Science. 2026, 46(3): 1736-1746

References

[1] Seo B, Kim J Y, Chung J. Overview of global status and challenges for end-of-life crystalline silicon photovoltaic panels: A focus on environmental impacts [J]. Waste Management, 2021,128:45-54.
[2] Hocine L, Samira K M. Optimal PV panel's end-life assessment based on the supervision of their own aging evolution and waste management forecasting. [J]. Solar Energy, 2019,191:227-234.
[3] Marcuzzo R, De Araujo W C, Maldonado M U, et al. A multi-country simulation-based study for end-of-life solar PV panel destination estimations [J]. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 2022,33: 531-542.
[4] Tammaro M, Salluzzo A, Rimauro J, et al. Experimental investigation to evaluate the potential environmental hazards of photovoltaic panels [J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2016,306:395-405.
[5] 张凡,王树众,李艳辉,等.中国制造业碳排放问题分析与减排对策建议 [J]. 化工进展, 2022,41(3):1645-1653. Zhang F, Wang S Zh, Li Y H, et al. Analysis of CO₂ emission and countermeasures and suggestions foremission reduction in Chinese manufacturing. [J]. Journal Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2022,41(3):1645-1653.
[6] Calì M, Hajji B, Nitto G, et al. The design value for recycling end-of- life photovoltaic panels [J]. Applied Sciences-Basel, 2022,12(18).
[7] Artas S B, Kocaman E, Bilgiç H H, et al. Why PV panels must be recycled at the end of their economic life span? A case study on recycling together with the global situation [J]. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 2023,174:63-78.
[8] 侯思雨,庄绪宁,杨凡,等.我国退役动力电池及关键金属资源时空分布特征与处理需求解析 [J]. 中国环境科学, 2025,45(8):4727- 4736. Hou S Y, Zhuang X N, Yang F, et al. Analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics and processing requirements of retired power batteries andcritical metal resources in China [J]. China Environmental Science, 2025,45(8):4727-4736.
[9] Sharma A, Mahajan P, Garg R. End-of-life solar photovoltaic panel waste management in India: forecasting and environmental impact assessment [J]. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2024,21(2):1961-1980.
[10] Faircloth C C, Wagner K H, Woodward K E, et al. The environmental and economic impacts of photovoltaic waste management in Thailand [J]. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2019,143:260-272.
[11] Bartie N J, Cobos-Becerra Y L, Fröhling M, et al. The resources, exergetic and environmental footprint of the silicon photovoltaic circular economy: Assessment and opportunities [J]. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2021,169.
[12] An M R, Sun X L. Carbon footprints of solar panels in China provinces based on different production and waste treatment scenarios [J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2024,435.
[13] Santoyo-Castelazo E, Solano-Olivares K, Martinez E, et al. Life cycle assessment for a grid-connected multi-crystalline silicon photovoltaic system of 3kWp: A case study for Mexico [J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2021,316.
[14] Chen P H, Chen W S, Lee C H, et al. Comprehensive review of crystalline silicon solar panel recycling: from historical context to advanced techniques [J]. Sustainability, 2024,16(1).
[15] Preet S, Smith S T. A comprehensive review on the recycling technology of silicon based photovoltaic solar panels: challenges and future outlook [J]. Journal of Cleaner Production, 2024,448.
[16] Mazzi A, Barbiero C, Miserocchi F, et al. Life cycle assessment of Al-Cu-Ag-Si recycling process from photovoltaic waste [J]. Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2024,211.
[17] Wu J, Wang S, Gong Q, et al. Impacts and response of solar energy utilization projects on ecosystem, Biodiversity and Environment [J]. Research of Environmental Sciences, 2024,37(5):1055-1070.
[18] Ansanelli G, Fiorentino G, Tammaro M, et al. A life cycle assessment of a recovery process from end-of-life photovoltaic panels [J]. Applied Energy, 2021,290.
[19] 刘含笑,吴黎明,林青阳,等.碳足迹评估技术及其在重点工业行业的应用 [J]. 化工进展, 2023,42(5):2201. Liu H X, Wu L M, Lin Q Y, et al. Carbon footprint assessment technology and its application in key industries. [J]. Journal Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2023,42(5):2201.
[20] 王志豪,郭少青,卫贤贤,等.光伏组件硅回收的现状与展望 [J]. 应用化工, 2025,54(4):1049-1053. Wang Z H, Guo S Q, Wei X X, et al. Current status and prospect of silicon recovery from decommissioned photovoltaic modules. [J]. Applied Chemical Industry, 2025,54(4):1049-1053.
[21] 汪启飞,李宾,袁晓,等.废旧光伏组件的现场快速分离回收及响应面优化浸出提取银的工艺 [J]. 环境工程学报, 2025,19(4):948- 956. Wang Q F, Li B, Yuan X, et al. On-site rapid separation and recovery of waste photovoltaic modules andresponse surface optimisation for silver extraction by leaching [J]. Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2025,19(4):948-956.
[22] 郭飞宏,许贵军,徐文胜,等.废旧光伏组件回收路径及技术研究 [J]. 材料导报, 2024,38(z1):20-26. Gou F H, Xu G J, Xu W S, et al. Reserch on the recycling path and technology of waste photovoltaic modules. [J]. Materials Reports, 2024,38(z1):20-26.
[23] Deng R, Dias P R, Lunardi M M, et al. A sustainable chemical process to recycle end-of-life silicon solar cells [J]. Green Chemistry, 2021, 23(24):10157-10167.
[24] Gao S, Chen X, Qu J, et al. Recycling of silicon solar panels through a salt-etching approach [J]. Nature Sustainability, 2024,7(7):920-930.
[25] 徐创,李宾,袁晓,等.废旧晶体硅光伏组件的回收利用 [J]. 环境工程学报, 2019,6. Xu C, Li B, Yuan X,et al.Recycling of waste crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules [J]. Chinese Journal ofEnvironmental Engineering, 2019,6.
[26] 刘波,李佳怡,丁云集,等.报废光伏板回收利用的研究现状 [J]. 稀有金属, 2019,43(9):987-996. Liu B, Li J Y, Ding Y J, et al. Recycling status of scrap photovoltaic panels. [J]. Chinese Journal of Rare Metals, 2019,43(9):987-996.
[27] 张钤,崔敏华,陈蕾,等.生物电化学技术降解疏水性新兴污染物的研究进展 [J]. 化工进展, 2021,40(12):6846. Zhang Q, Cui M H, Chen L, et al. A review of bioelectrochemical system in the degradation ofhydrophobic emerging contaminants. [J]. Chemical Industry and Engineering Progress, 2021,40(12):6846.
[28] 赵新美,张子生,赖伟东,等.高效分选废旧光伏电池板中铜与硅 [J]. 河北大学学报(自然科学版), 2020,40(4):365. Zhao X M, Zhang Z S, Lai W D, et al. Efficient separation of copper and silicon from waste photovoltaic panels. [J]. Journal of Hebei University (Natural Science Edition), 2020,40(4):365.
[29] 陈晓玉,张子生,赖伟东,等.废旧光伏电池板中银和铝的高压静电分选 [J]. 环境科学与技术, 2020,43(8):145-151. Chen X Y, Zhang Z S, Lai W D, et al. High voltage electrostatic separation of argentum and aluminumfrom waste photovoltaic panels [J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2020,43(8):145-151.
[30] 苏健,梁英波,丁麟,等.碳中和目标下我国能源发展战略探讨 [J]. 中国科学院院刊, 2021,36(9):1001-1009. Su J, Liang Y B, Ding L, et al. Research on China’s energy development strategy under carbon neutrality. [J]. Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 2021,36(9):1001-1009.
[31] 蔡毅,邢岩,胡丹.敏感性分析综述 [J]. 北京师范大学学报(自然科学版), 2008,44(1):9-16. Cai Y, Xing Y, Hu D, et al. On sensitivity analysis [J]. Journal of Beijing Normal U niversity (Nat ural Science), 2008,44(1):9-16.
[32] 豆咏琪,宋小龙,庄绪宁,等.退役磷酸铁锂电池梯次利用生命周期评价与碳减排情景分析 [J]. 中国环境科学, 2024,44(7):4091-4100. Dou Y Q, Song X L, Zhuang X N, et al. Life cycle assessment and carbon reduction scenario analysis of retired lithium iron phosphate batteries for cascadeutilization [J]. China Environmental Science, 2024,44(7):4091-4100.
[33] 王小虎,楚春礼,曹植,等.分布式光伏-储能系统经济-碳排放-能源效益实证分析——以山东省胶州光伏及其储能系统为例 [J]. 中国环境科学, 2022,42(1):402-414. Wang X H, Chu C L, Cao Z, et al. Empirical analysis of cost-CO₂- energy benefits of distributed photovoltaic-battery storage system- taking (PV-BSS) in a casestudy in rural Jiaozhou Shandong. [J]. China Environmental Science, 2022,42(1):402-414.