Abstract
While photovoltaic (PV) panel manufacturing and installed capacity increases worldwide, the amount of waste PV follows close behind. PV modules contain both valuable and hazardous materials, which makes their recycling meaningful economically and environmentally. During my time at SPREE, I've been amazed at the capabilities of the school, especially considering the brilliance of my colleagues in the development of new PV technologies. However, at the same time, I've noticed there is a knowledge gap in respect to end-of-life issues and recycling approaches. In the interest of bridging this gap, and hopefully getting more brilliant minds to think about such issues, I have prepared a lunch presentation covering the basics of waste management & PV recycling, the end-of-life challenges, how waste PV topic can influence future research development and why it is important for the SPREE community to have this matter within sight.
Click here to see all available video seminars.
Click here to go to the SPREE HOMEPAGE.
Brief Bio
Pablo Dias has been working with waste electrical and electrotonic equipment since 2009, when he initiated his research training while undertaking the Materials Engineering undergraduate course. He has a Master of science degree and a PhD on materials science and technology, both from UFRGS (Brazil) and a PhD on engineering from Macquarie University (Australia). Pablo has worked as an associate lecturer at Macquarie University before moving to UNSW to work at the school of photovoltaics and renewable energy engineering (SPREE). His research is in the field of resource efficiency, circular economy, recycling, waste management and environmental assessment. At UNSW, his research is mainly concerned with developing novel processes to recycle end-of-life solar panels and enable a sustainable circular system for the renewable energy sector.
