There are different methods to recycle solar panels, which can include some or all of the following three steps: Recycling ProcessĪn ideal recycling system would recover as much material from solar panels as possible. Battery-based grid energy storage systems may be handled with current battery recycling programs. Inverters may be able to be recycled with electronic waste, and racking may be recycled with similar scrap metals. Other components of a solar power system may include inverters, racking, and battery backup systems, which may also be recycled. Solar panels may contain critical materials, including aluminum, tin, tellurium, and antimony, as well as gallium and indium in some thin-film modules. Toxic metals like lead and cadmium may also be present in solar panels. Silver and internal copper are valuable components, but panels typically contain very small amounts of these materials. Other materials located within the solar cells may be more difficult to recycle. Source: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Other materials that are easily recyclable include the aluminum frame, copper wire, and plastic junction box. Glass composes most of the weight of a solar panel (about 75 percent), and glass recycling is already a well-established industry. Many of these components can be recycled. The polymer layers seal the panel from exposure to weather but can make recycling and panel disassembling difficult, as high temperatures are often required to loosen the adhesive. This type of panel is constructed with an aluminum frame, glass, copper wire, polymer layers and a backsheet, silicon solar cells, and a plastic junction box. Recycling OverviewĬrystalline-silicon solar technology represents most of the solar panel market share. And we are talking least likely to have a natural disaster not places that never have a natural disaster.For information on how to choose a responsible recycler, read the following fact sheet.Īnother way to choose a responsible recycler is to find recyclers that operate under recycling standards set by accredited organizations like SERI’s R2 Standard or the e-Stewards standard. Boise is more likely to have earthquakes then Reno but again not big ones. Yes Reno has earthquakes but not big ones that cause major damage. So for me, it is really the mountain west, desert southwest not in any order: Same for Ice Storms in all but San Antonio where it happens sometimes but is rare. Tornadoes: Possible in Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte and Cincinnati and San Antonio. The others on the list could destroy your home and or leave you without power for days or more. They are ugly and ominous so they grab headlines but are not a big deal. How much death and destruction happens from dust storms? Only a problem if you are driving in one and there is always plenty of warning to get off the road. Have you been through a dust storm? They roll through and are gone quickly. I think I have a short list of cities that should be considered in no particular orderįirst I would not put a dust storm up as a natural disaster at least as compared to the other ones. Obviously any major city could have a natural disaster, but I wonder if someone wanted to avoid them all together what city should they chose? Natural disasters would include, Hurricanes, Tornado's, Floods, Blizzards, Ice Storms, Earthquakes Dust Storms etc.
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