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Renewable Energy Sources: Engineering, Technology, Innovation pp 459–470Cite as

Recycling Expired Photovoltaic Panels in Poland

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Part of the book series: Springer Proceedings in Energy ((SPE))

Abstract

The rapid progress in photovoltaics increases the availability of inexpensive and reliable electricity for individual, industrial and commercial users. Photovoltaic installations convert solar energy into electric energy, thus reducing fossil fuel use and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The Polish photovoltaics market began to develop rapidly in 2013, and the installed capacity of solar-powered systems continues to increase every year. According to the Institute for Renewable Energy, the total installed capacity of photovoltaic systems reached around 199 MW at the end of 2016. More than 101 MW was installed in 2016 alone, including 73 MW in micro-generation systems. Polycrystalline installations are most popular, and they are followed by monocrystalline modules. Solar panels covered with amorphous silicon and thin film are less popular solutions. The growth of the Polish photovoltaics market is driven mostly by high levels of consumer awareness rather than a cohesive energy policy. Solar panels have an estimated life of 20–30 years, which means that expired modules will have to be effectively managed in the near future. Recycling appears to be the most cost-effective and environmentally-friendly solution, and it can be used to recover more than 90% of the components and materials in solar panels. Recycling delivers a host of environmental benefits by saving energy and raw materials, minimizing the release of harmful chemical compounds, and reducing the space for storing expired and damaged panels. The article discusses various solutions for recycling photovoltaic modules as part of a strategy promoting the sustainable management of waste from expired PV systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, M. Oczapowskiego str. 2, 10-719, Olsztyn, Poland

    Joanna Hałacz, Maciej Neugebauer, Piotr Sołowiej, Krzysztof Nalepa & Maciej Wesołowski

Authors
  1. Joanna Hałacz
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  2. Maciej Neugebauer
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  3. Piotr Sołowiej
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  4. Krzysztof Nalepa
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  5. Maciej Wesołowski
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joanna Hałacz .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland

    Marek Wróbel

  2. Faculty of Production and Power Engineering, University of Agriculture in Krakow, Kraków, Poland

    Marcin Jewiarz

  3. Institute of Thermal Technology, Silesian University of Technology, Gliwice, Poland

    Andrzej Szlęk

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Hałacz, J., Neugebauer, M., Sołowiej, P., Nalepa, K., Wesołowski, M. (2020). Recycling Expired Photovoltaic Panels in Poland. In: Wróbel, M., Jewiarz, M., Szlęk , A. (eds) Renewable Energy Sources: Engineering, Technology, Innovation. Springer Proceedings in Energy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13888-2_45

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-13888-2_45

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-13887-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-13888-2

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