Advanced Smart Biomaterials and Energy Research Group
The Icarus Syndrome in the Sustainability of Photovoltaic Modules
Author(s)
Asli Birturk
Melih Soner Celiktas
Published: July 2023
ABSTRACT
In this study, photovoltaic (PV) systems, which have a key role in reducing the consumption of fossil-based energy resources, are analyzed within the scope of sustainability. PV systems, which have an important share among renewable energy sources, will cause environmental and economic consequences at the end of their economic life. While PV modules contribute to clean energy production for an average lifetime of 25-30 years, they also contain potential dangers for our world. Producers, consumers, governments, and researchers related to PV module wastes, which will be encountered more intensively in the near future, should take responsibility more quickly and initiatives on this issue should be supported by policies.
In this study, the PV system installed capacity and the amount of PV module waste that will be generated in Turkey until 2050 are evaluated in ten-year periods. Monthly and annual increases are considered separately for the installed capacity estimates and compared with the data published by the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR). Waste potential estimates are considered as end-of-economic life and early waste. The total waste potential is evaluated according to future projections published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The results show that the PV installed capacity estimates are close to the ETKB estimates, and the waste potential will be approximately three times the size of the projections prepared by IEA and IRENA for Turkey. Accordingly, PV module waste potential is estimated to reach 1 million 706 thousand 159 tons in 2050.
Citation: Energy and Machine
Keywords: PV recycle / PV waste / crystalline silicon / critical minerals / ınstalled power / renewable energy
