New Method for Efficient Recovery of Precious Metals from Thin-Film Solar Cells Developed by Swedish Researchers

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a new method for recovering precious metals from thin-film solar cells that is more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods. Thin-film cells account for less than 10% of the solar cell market, but they offer significant benefits compared to conventional silicon-based crystalline cells, such as bendability and adaptability, making them useful for a wider range of applications.

However, the production of thin-film cells generates a significant amount of waste, including precious metals and hazardous substances. Specifically, the production of CIGS cells, a leading variety of thin-film technology, requires a high demand for indium and silver, which can be repurposed for new products if effectively separated from other substances.

See also: Cubico acquires 1 GW Solar Development Project in Brazil from ZEG

Traditionally, the separation process involves using high heat and a large amount of chemicals, which is expensive and not environmentally friendly. But in this study, published in the journal Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, the researchers used a method called leaching to separate the metals in the cells. This process consumes much fewer chemicals, making it “milder” on the environment. The researchers have also fine-tuned the process to minimize impurities in the recovered indium and silver.

The study found that the new method could recover 100% of the silver and around 85% of the indium, all at room temperature without adding heat. Although the process takes one day to complete, slightly longer than traditional methods, it is more cost-effective and better for the environment. This finding provides a more sustainable way of repurposing precious metals from discarded thin-film solar cells, a crucial development for the solar energy industry.

See also: Caterpillar to Launch Demonstration Project Using Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology for Backup Power at Microsoft Data Center

Dr. Burcak Ebin, one of the researchers involved in the study, expressed hope that their research could be used as a reference for optimizing the recycling process and scaling up the method for larger-scale use in the future. Ultimately, this new method could help the solar energy industry become even more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.