CdTe photovoltaic technology: An overview of waste generation, recycling, and raw material demand

Abstract

CdTe panel is a leader among thin-film technologies for solar panels and, according to some studies, promises the lowest production cost compared with other PV technology currently available in the commercial market. Despite the importance and representativeness of this technology, most published studies focus on crystalline silicon (c-Si) modules. Therefore, this brief review provides a more up-to-date view of CdTe panels, containing waste generation, hazardousness, and several aspects involving recycling. This review also provides information on the supply and demand of metals, especially Tellurium. Some authors cite the supply of Tellurium as a barrier to increasing the production of this photovoltaic panel technology and that its recycling could be a good alternative to meet demand. In this sense, this review also presents some possibilities for recycling processes, including routes that already exist on an industrial scale.