Sustainable photovoltaics

Sustainable Processes are of high importance for current and also future technologies. This includes the use of sustainable resources as well as the end-of-life management. Although Photovoltaics (PV) is usually seen as a green energy provider based on renewable energy source, sustainability plays only a small role in PV module technology. This starts with the selection of the used materials. At the moment the focus is on increasing efficiency and lowering production costs. Recycle- and repairability as well as the omission and/or reduction of critical materials (e.g. lead and fluorine) play only a secondary role. At the end of their life old and defect modules are currently recycled in non-specialized treatment plants. A dedicated waste management system for optimal resource recovery does not exist. The research project PVRe² will take on the challenge of improving the sustainability of PV, while still keeping reliability and efficiency on a high level.

• Optimization of recycling processes for PV modules
• Enhancement of recyclability and minimization of environmental effects through development of sustainable PV modules
• Development of in-field repair solutions for damaged PV modules
• Assessment of the technological measures in relation to their economic and ecological effects

• Dobra, T., Vollprecht, D., & Pomberger, R. (2021). Thermal delamination of end-of-life crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules. Waste management & research, 40(1), 96 - 103
• Dobra, T., Oreski, G., & Figl, H. (2021). Environmental Assessment of Ecodesign Measures for Silicon Based Photovoltaic Modules. e-nova 2021.
• Dobra, T., Hilweg, M., Eder, G. C., Voronko, Y., Oreski, G., Feldbacher, S., Neumaier, L., Lenck, N., & Figl, H. (2021). Environmental and economic assessment of repair solutions for cracked backsheets in photovoltaic modules. 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy & Environmental Protection SEEP2021.
• Dobra, T., Wellacher, M., & Pomberger, R. (2020). End-of-Life management of photovoltaic panels in Austria: current situation and outlook. Detritus, 10(June), 75 - 81.
• Dobra, T., Wellacher, M., & Pomberger, R. (2020). Mechanische Verbundsauftrennung beim Recycling von c-Si Photovoltaikmodulen: Aktueller Stand und neue Ansätze. Recy & DepoTech 2020: Konferenzband zur 15. Recy & DepoTech-Konferenz
• Dobra, T., & Wellacher, M. (2019). End-of-Life Management of Si-Wafer Based Photovoltaic Panels and its Effect on Sustainability Assessment. e-nova 2019.