Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Major
Architectural Engineering
Research Advisor
Baur, Stuart Werner, 1965-
Advisor's Department
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Funding Source
Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE)
Abstract
The last decade has seen enormous growth in the solar industry across the globe. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREnA) in 2015 solar energy produced about 222 gigawatts worldwide with expected growth to top 4500 gigawatts by 2050. By comparison the United States is expected to see an additional 10.6 gigawatts in 2018. The Midwest has seen similar growth in the solar industry within the past decade. The problem is the technology used to convert the sun’s rays into electrical energy does not last forever. On average the industry rates a solar panel's life span around 25-30 years. Up to now limited quantities from early installations have been retired. The forecast for such systems will continue to grow. The once small quantities of glass and photovoltaic components will begin to grow from hundreds to thousands to millions of tons of material waste. This research provide a roadmap to the potential growth and opportunity to recycling solar technologies. It also illustrates some of the possible economic barriers including policy, transportation, value, and cost effective processes.
Biography
Hattie Matthews is a 22 year old graduating senior in Architectural Engineering. Hattie grew up on a ranch in Muskogee, Oklahoma with her parents and older sister. Her goals include uptaining her professional license and making an impact on our world.
Research Category
Engineering
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Document Type
Poster
Award
Engineering poster presentation, Second place
Presentation Date
28 Apr 2017, 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
Included in
Solar Panel Recycling in The United States
The last decade has seen enormous growth in the solar industry across the globe. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IREnA) in 2015 solar energy produced about 222 gigawatts worldwide with expected growth to top 4500 gigawatts by 2050. By comparison the United States is expected to see an additional 10.6 gigawatts in 2018. The Midwest has seen similar growth in the solar industry within the past decade. The problem is the technology used to convert the sun’s rays into electrical energy does not last forever. On average the industry rates a solar panel's life span around 25-30 years. Up to now limited quantities from early installations have been retired. The forecast for such systems will continue to grow. The once small quantities of glass and photovoltaic components will begin to grow from hundreds to thousands to millions of tons of material waste. This research provide a roadmap to the potential growth and opportunity to recycling solar technologies. It also illustrates some of the possible economic barriers including policy, transportation, value, and cost effective processes.
Comments
Joint project with Divyesh Shelar