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Numerical-Experimental Study of Delamination in Crystalline Photovoltaic Panels to Support Efficient Recycling
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Numerical-Experimental Study of Delamination in Crystalline Photovoltaic Panels to Support Efficient Recycling

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Abstract:

In the global transition towards renewable energy, a leading role is played by photovoltaic (PV) technologies. However, the increasing growth of installed PV panels, together with the rise of the number of modules reaching their end-of-life phase, make the sustainable management of electronic waste a crucial aspect. The reduction of energy consumption and polluting emissions and the maximization of material recovery represent the ultimate purpose of demanufacturing processes. Here, cryogenic delamination is proposed as an innovative strategy, as it exploits the thermal and mechanical properties of PV module constituents to achieve the cleanest possible separation of layers, allowing for the recovery of strategic materials (silicon, aluminium, silver, copper). This work aims to combine experimental and numerical approaches in order to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental mechanisms governing the process: the overall objective is represented by the process optimization to enable the exploration of various operating conditions without the need for costly and time-intensive experimental campaigns and, ultimately, the implementation of such technology at the industrial scale.

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Periodical:

Key Engineering Materials (Volume 1051)

Pages:

191-202

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4028/p-jx8Kt7

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Cite this paper

Online since:

April 2026

Authors:

Agata Sposato*, Giovanni de Martino, Gianni Stigliano, Claudio Cignali, Michele Dassisti, Domenico Umbrello

Keywords:

Cryogenic Delamination, Finite Element Modelling, Material Characterization, Photovoltaic Panels

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Creative Commons CC BY 4.0

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* - Corresponding Author

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