A Review of Solar Photovoltaic Power Utilizations in India and Impacts of Segregation and Safe Disposal of Toxic Components from Retired Solar Panels

Abstract

Environmental impacts of electricity production through nonrenewable sources are greatly reduced by solar energy production through PV cells. The use of solar energy as an alternative to conventional methods is about to increase tenfold by the year 2050. This considerably increases the number of solar cell wastes for which the recycling processes are confronted with various issues due to the presence of hazardous materials like Al, lead, chromium, glass, silver, and ethylene vinyl. Different approaches for the disposal and segregation of these materials through mechanical, thermal, and chemical means are investigated in this review work. Since many countries have begun to implement mechanisms to deal with the destruction of solar PV (photovoltaic) panels, this evaluation will concentrate on the existing mechanisms and procedures. Existing mechanisms like landfilling, open dumping, and regulations and policies of the retired solar panel were discussed.