An overview of the comprehensive utilization of silicon-based solid waste related to PV industry

The rapid development of photovoltaic (PV) industry has led to increasing emissions of silicon-based solid (SIBS) waste. The discharge of these solid wastes is not only detrimental to the recovery of valuable resources, but also poses a certain threat to the environment. Although some decentralized studies had been conducted on these wastes, either metallurgical silicon slag, waste crucibles, silicon cutting wastes, or EOL photovoltaic panels, few studies had systematically analyzed the comprehensive utilization of SIBS waste from the perspective of whole PV industry. This work firstly reviews the comprehensive utilization status of SIBS waste, and then analyzes the silicon metal value chain related to PV industry. Finally, it concludes the development advantages, risks and challenges in PV industry, and puts forward a few suggestions on closed and/or opened loop recycling of SIBS waste in PV industry chain. From the perspective of entire industrial chain, systematically sorting out the comprehensive utilization of SIBS waste will provide a theoretical reference for the green and sustainable development of PV industry. In this review, the recent advances in the comprehensive utilization of silicon-based solid waste in PV industry are overviewed, and the recycling category, recycling process, material flows, etc. are analyzed. Also a few suggestions from the perspective of closed loop and opened loop recycling of solid waste in PV industry chain have been put forward [Display omitted] .