17.11.2023
Source: Energy & Management Powernews
A research project at ZSW aims to find out how photovoltaic modules can be sensibly repaired and then reused.
It doesn't just work for smartphones, but also for photovoltaic modules: With the launch of the "RENEW" project, the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg (ZSW) and several partners are researching the repair and reuse of photovoltaic (PV) modules. The aim is to test used PV modules more effectively and with high throughput as well as to develop new repair options in order to reduce the amount of PV modules disposed of.
The project partners also want to develop new standards for the characterization of used PV modules. In addition to the ZSW, the recycling company "2nd Life Solar", the experts "HaWe Engineering" and the measurement and testing technology company "ELMED Dr. Ing. Mense" are also involved.
Experience with field-aged modules from the ZSW solar laboratory Solab has shown that the "majority of modules show hardly any performance degradation even after more than 20 years of operation, especially in locations with a temperate climate such as Central Europe". According to the experience of project partner 2nd Life Solar, around 70 percent of the discarded modules are currently still directly operational. In order to further improve these figures, various repair solutions are also to be developed in the project.
Building solar parks with used modules
"The market for used modules is growing rapidly, as the expansion targets for photovoltaics are ambitious. To achieve this, we need every module - whether new or used - in operation until the end of its service life," says Maximilian Engel, project coordinator of the Renew project at ZSW. "Even though I am pleased with the current high rate of expansion, we must not neglect the sustainable use of the resources used. To this end, it is important to qualify used modules efficiently and therefore cost-effectively, with high throughput and, if necessary, to repair them in order to keep them in operation."
In addition to use in smaller stand-alone systems and as balcony power plants, there is also the possibility of equipping entire PV parks with used modules due to the high volume of field-aged modules.
One project partner that is already carrying out quality testing of used PV modules is 2nd Life Solar. The company intends to further expand its concept to meet the growing demand. Such scaling requires robust process standards for mobile and stationary quality tests. By scaling up the processes, the project partners hope to reduce the amount of untested electronic waste that is transported abroad.
In order to optimize the testing, the project team is also cooperating with Elmed Dr. Ing. The company specializes in testing equipment for the coating industry and can therefore carry out testing with minimal material stress on the coating. In a field study, Hawe Engineering will apply the project results in various PV systems in order to make it possible to qualify used modules on site.
The three-year project is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWK). The acronym "RENEW" stands for the repair and reuse of PV modules.
Author: Heidi Roider
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