A novel enzymatic delamination method for sustainable recycling of crystal silicon photovoltaic (c-Si PV) modules

Due to the growing effects of global warming, there has been a surge in the demand for renewable energy sources. In particular, the most important player in this increase is the installation of photovoltaic (PV) modules. At this critical stage, it has become a priority to identify strategic approaches for the recycling of end-of-life PV panels with a strong focus on environmental protection. This study examined the impact of enzymatic delamination on the separation of the EVA (Ethylne Viniyl Aceate Co polymer) layer, a crucial stage in the recycling process of PV panels. Notably, this investigation is the first of its kind in the existing literature. To investigate this, delamination effects of lipase, laccase, and lecitase enzymes were analyzed according to experimental design methods. Furthermore, sunflower oil was employed for the first time in the existing body of literature to facilitate delamination, resulting in a delamination rate of 100 %. The environmental impacts of these biotechnological techniques, which serve as alternatives to the commonly used toluene, were also comparatively assessed by life cycle assessment (LCA) method to analyze the environmental impact. LCA methodology was performed from gate to gate and the Recipe impact methodology was used. Oil assisted enzymatic delamination method was shown to be an alternative from environmental point of view to solvent based method such as toluene.