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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  1. Considering the rapid growth of new installations, will there be a problem of "photovoltaic waste"?

    Since the estimated lifetime of a photovoltaic module is 25 years, the modules installed today will reach the end of their lifetime within 2-3 decades. Therefore, within the next decade there is no volume of waste to be expected which could be compared with other waste products. Over the next few years, the main sources of defect PV-Modules will be caused by damages during distribution and installation.

    Furthermore, due to the fact that all substances used in a PV-Module are embedded in a long-lasting laminate, PV-Modules are not considered as hazardous waste.

    Nevertheless, in order to handle these short-term quantities in an adequate way and to provide a long-term sustainable solution, the PV-industry will set up a Take-Back-System for PV-Modules.

     

     

  2. Do Photovoltaics involve environmental risks?

    The strong point of photovoltaic technology is the obviously cleaner production of energy in comparison to fossil-fuel based operations.

    Considering a life-cycle approach, the analysis has to be extended to the manufacturing process and the dismantling and recycling of PV-modules.

    In its production processes PV-Industry uses some hazardous substances (although in smaller amounts than many other industries), which could involve occupational or environmental problems. Therefore the PV-Industry developed safe processes and procedures in order to avoid having workers or the environment of a plant affected.1

    Concerning end-of-life modules, the best solution is the recycling of the modules, thus reducing further the environmental footprint of the use of PV-technology. Several studies and existing industrial processes show that this strategy is ecological and economically feasible.2

    Thus, it can be concluded that photovoltaics is one of the cleanest and safest way to produce electrical power.

    1 More details are available on the Website of the Photovoltaic Environmental Research Assistance Center at Brookhaven National Laboratory, one of the leading research organisations in this field.

    2 SENSE Life-Cycle Assessment, Revised Version 06/2008, p. 20ff, http://www.sense-eu.net/30.html

    Müller, A., K. Wambach, and E. Alsema (2005), Life cycle analysis of a solar module recycling process, 20th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, Barcelona, Spain, WIP-Renewable Energies, Munich, Germany, p. 3211-3213.

     

  3. Do PV-Modules recover all Energy required to produce them?

    The purpose of Photovoltaics is to generate energy and to contribute to the world's energy needs with a net production of energy.

    This issue of "energy pay-back time" has been the subject of several studies. A recent study has come to the conclusion that for average South European conditions (1700 kWh/m2-yr) the energy pay-back time is between 1 to 2,7 years and the corresponding GHG emissions range from 21 g CO2-eq./kWh to 45 g CO2-eq./kWh for South Europe and 27–59 g CO2-eq./kWh for Southern Germany conditions (1300 kWh/m2-yr).1

    Once the pay-back time has been reached, every kWh produced is new energy and a net contribution to the energy supply.

    1 Fthenakis, V., Alsema,E. (2006), 'Photovoltaics Energy Payback Times, Greenhouse Gas Emissions and External Costs: 2004–early 2005 Status', Progress In Photovoltaics: Research and Applications, 14, 3, p. 275-280.

     

  4. Is it possible to recycle photovoltaic modules?

    Yes, all components in a solar module can be recycled. The most valuable parts are the solar cells themselves, which can be recycled into new wafers as the basis for new solar cells. The aluminium frames, glass and cables can also be recycled.

    Recycling is not only beneficial for the environment but also for helping to reduce the energy needed to produce those materials and therefore the cost of fabrication.

     

  5. What is the purpose of PV Cycle?

    The objective and purpose of the association is to promote protection of the climate and the environment by encouraging increased use and sustainability of PV technology.

    Therefore PV CYCLE intends to implement an overall waste management and recycling policy for the industry which guarantees the highest economically feasible collection and recovery rates as well as appropriate treatment of waste PV modules.