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ARC Research Hub for Photovoltaic Solar Panel Recycling and Sustainability( PVRS)
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Highly efficient, flexible, scalable and eco-friendly PV recycling technologies for future Australian industries
Research Project
Validated( real-world setting)
Challenge
This project helps reduce the volume of EoL PV panels in landfills in Australia through viable, eco-friendly recycling solutions in industry settings. It also helps address the ecological problems caused by toxic elements leached into the soil on the disposal of these elements in landfills, and benefits industries through the recycling and export of valuable materials.
Solution
The solution is a defined visual tool that can mimic the whole PV panel value chain, including: EoL PV panel recycling to materials( processes / reactors design and scale-up); treatment of off-gas and waste liquids from the recycling processes; recycled materials conversion to valueadded products; technology evaluation, policy informing and industry standards; and new PV panel design for recycled materials reuse, ready recycling and improved reliability.
Target customers / end-users
• four confirmed industry partners in PV panel recycling and manufacturing
• national and local governments in the environment protection and technology translation sectors
• university and research institutes.
Progress
• AU $ 5m funding for research translation from the ARC
• 10 Participating Organisations confirmed for technology co-development and / or implementation
• prototypes for key recycling steps tested successfully in laboratory.
TRL 5
Advanced Manufacturing, Materials & Design
This project uses expertise across nine engineering fields. Two interlinked highlevel scopes drive it: R & D into the end-of-life( EoL) PV recycling process, and PV panel degradation mechanisms and redesigns for ready recycling and high reliability. The work aims to transform the Australian PV recycling system.
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