Análise exploratória da sustentabilidade de tecnologias aplicadas na produção de painéis fotovoltaicos sob a ótica da economia circular

Abstract

Solar energy generation through photovoltaic panels is a sustainable solution that grows worldwide. However, to become a truly sustainable alternative, the production of the panels needs to be re-thought so that the extraction of raw materials is mitigated and the disposal of end-of-life waste is re-discussed. This research presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) that seeks to explore sustainable solutions presented, in the interval of the established literature, for the manufacture of panels, reincorporating waste from solar cells in the production chain, that is, using a Circular Economy (CE) perspective. With the survey of academic research and regulatory documents, the three generations of photovoltaic panels and their architectures are analyzed, exploring innovative technologies, such as Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs), Organic Photovoltaics (OPV) and perovskite solar cells, in addition to the already consolidated crystalline silicon (c-Si) solar cells. The research investigates the end-of-life treatment of photovoltaic panels and recycling procedures. Based on the analysis of a selected portfolio of 15 articles, the work explores the Roll-to-Roll (R2R) production technology used for the manufacture of third generation thin film photovoltaic cells. The CABRISS (implementation of a CirculAr economy Based on Recycled, reused and recovered Indium, Silicon and Silver) project initiative is also addressed, which promotes actions for the implementation of CE for the recovery of photovoltaic waste in Europe. It has been shown that the recovery of end-of-life waste for the first and second generation can prove to be advantageous, while, for the third generation, there are still no established systems for waste recovery. The research points to new researches on waste management policies and the scalability of new technologies, in addition to reducing production costs.