Abstract
The amount of power generated by solar technologies, which stands as the core of Japan’s renewable energy program, is 7% of the total energy policy forged by METI. The social need for such solar facilities has become quite common in recent years. However, treatment and handling of used solar cell modules has not yet become common in terms of the institutional and technical aspects involved. Responses to disaster waste due to heavy rain disasters, earthquakes, typhoons, etc. have already started. Toshiba Environmental Solutions Corporation is developing technology for assessing the performance of used solar cell modules, currently reusing solar cell modules that have undergone evaluation at power generation facilities and in power generation equipment. Following this example, we plan to develop technologies for quantifying the resources and hazardous substances of used solar cell modules and recycling technologies such as crushing/scratching. After proper treatment, we will sell collected materials that use these alongside our business selling both systems and recycling equipment. The effects of such efforts has been a marked reduction in CO2 emissions, as well as more effective utilization of resources and an overall reduction in environmental loading.
