Solar panel recycling method and solar panel recycling system

Abstract

To select an appropriate recycling method, according to a degree of deterioration of a solar panel.SOLUTION: A solar panel recycling method includes: a detection step of detecting microcracks generated in a glass panel constituting a solar panel, in each of a state in which distortion is generated in the glass panel by pressing a discarded solar panel, and a state in which the distortion is not generated in the glass panel; a determination step of determining cracking easiness of the glass panel on the basis of the change of sate of the microcracks before and after the distortion is generated; and a selection step of selecting a recycling method of the solar panel, on the basis of the determination result of the cracking easiness of the glass panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar panel recycling method and a solar panel recycling system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, the installation of solar panels has increased, and it is expected that the disposal of deteriorated solar panels will increase in the future. It is desirable to dismantle and separate discarded solar panels into glass panels, silicon cells, metals, sealing materials, etc., and recycle each of these components. However, in reality, due to the high cost of dismantling and separating them, they are often disposed of in landfills, and it is predicted that final disposal sites (landfill sites) will be depleted by 2040. Therefore, there is a need for technology that will reduce the amount of solar panels disposed of in landfills and enable low-cost recycling.

[0003] Regarding the recycling of solar panels, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a recycling method and recycling device that "measures the thickness of the glass plate of a solar cell module in which a glass plate and a solar cell element are laminated via a sealing material, and based on the information on the measured thickness of the glass plate, determines the range of movement of a crushing means for crushing the glass plate of the solar cell module, and crushes the glass plate." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-192942 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the case of the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is assumed that the glass panels of the solar cell modules will be crushed and recycled, so it is not a problem if the glass panels obtained by dismantling and separating the solar panels have cracks or other damage.

[0006] On the other hand, when the glass panels obtained by dismantling and separating solar panels are to be reused as second-hand goods, the dismantling and separation work must be carried out in a way that minimizes the occurrence of breaks or other damage to the glass panels, i.e., in order to increase the yield rate.

[0007] However, discarded solar panels have usually been used outdoors for many years, and the degree of deterioration varies, so it is essential to select a recycling method that suits the degree of deterioration of the solar panels, such as dismantling and separating them to use as second-hand goods, or crushing and melting them to use as material for products.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to enable selection of an appropriate recycling method depending on the degree of deterioration of a solar panel. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The present application includes a number of means for solving at least part of the above problems, examples of which are as follows.

[0010] In order to solve the above problem, a solar panel recycling method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a detection step of detecting microcracks that have occurred in the glass panel when a discarded solar panel is pressed to cause distortion in the glass panel that constitutes the solar panel, and when no distortion is caused in the glass panel; a determination step of determining the susceptibility of the glass panel to break based on changes in the state of the microcracks before and after causing the distortion; and a selection step of selecting a recycling method for the solar panel based on the determination result of the susceptibility of the glass panel to break. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to select an appropriate recycling method depending on the degree of deterioration of the solar panel.

[0012] Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a solar panel recycling system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a microcrack inspection device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the optimum amount of distortion. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the optimum amount of distortion. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the optimum amount of distortion. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the solar panel recycling system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a solar panel recycling system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modified example of the solar panel recycling system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a solar panel recycling system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a machine learning device. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a modified example of the solar panel recycling system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a conventional solar panel recycling system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each embodiment is an example for explaining the present invention, and appropriate omissions and simplifications have been made for clarity of explanation. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural. The position, size, shape, and scope of each component shown in the drawings may not represent the actual position, size, shape, and scope to facilitate understanding of the invention. In all drawings used to explain the embodiments, identical components are generally designated by the same reference numerals, and repeated description of such components will be omitted. Furthermore, in the following embodiments, a component (including an element step, etc.) is not necessarily essential unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Furthermore, when a term "consists of A," "composed of A," "having A," or "including A" is used, it does not exclude other elements unless otherwise specified, such as when referring to only that element. Similarly, in the following embodiments, when referring to the shape, positional relationship, etc. of a component, etc., it includes those that are substantially similar or approximate to that shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or considered to be clearly essential in principle. Furthermore, the term "obtain" includes, as specific examples, at least the subject generating, calculating, and receiving from the outside.

[0015] <Configuration example of conventional solar panel recycling system 100> First, in order to clarify the difference between the present invention and the prior art, a configuration example of a conventional solar panel recycling system 100 will be described.

[0016] 12 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional solar panel recycling system 100. The solar panel recycling system 100 includes a solar panel performance inspection device 101, a solar panel dismantling and separation facility 102, a silicon cell and metal remelting facility 103, and a glass remelting facility 104.

[0017] The solar panel performance inspection device 101 inspects the power generation performance of discarded solar panels 1, evaluates their future useful life based on the power generation performance, and determines whether the future useful life is equal to or greater than a threshold value d (for example, 10 years). Reusable solar panels 2 whose future useful life is determined to be equal to or greater than the threshold value d are cleaned and reused as second-hand solar panels. At this time, the reusable solar panels 2 are traded at a price commensurate with their useful life and the amount of electricity they can generate in the future. Non-reusable solar panels 3 whose future useful life is determined to be less than the threshold value d are sent to solar panel dismantling and separation equipment 102.

[0018] The solar panel dismantling and separation equipment 102 separates non-reusable solar panels 3 into glass panels 4, silicon cells and metal 6, and other sealing materials (not shown) using mechanical methods such as disassembly with blades, decomposition by peeling off adhesives through heating, disassembly by dissolving only the adhesive layer through irradiation with laser light, and disassembly with a high-pressure water jet.

[0019] Glass panels 4 that are not broken or scratched during separation are cleaned and reused, for example, as material for solar panels. Broken glass 5 that is broken or scratched during separation is sent to glass remelting equipment 104, where it is melted and becomes material for newly manufactured glass panels, etc. The separated silicon cells and metals 6 are sent to silicon cell and metal remelting equipment 103, where they are melted and become material for silicon cells, metal frames for solar panels, etc. The separated sealing materials, etc. are disposed of as waste.

[0020] In addition, if cracks or other damage occur when separating the glass panel 4 from the non-reusable solar panel 3 in the solar panel dismantling and separation equipment 102, the work line must be stopped temporarily and time must be taken to clean up the broken glass 5, etc., which significantly reduces the recycling efficiency.

[0021] Therefore, in this embodiment, before separating the glass panels 4 from the non-reusable solar panels 3 in the solar panel dismantling and separation facility 102, it is determined whether the glass panels of the solar panels 1 are likely to break during dismantling and separation, and if they are likely to break, they are crushed and disposed of without being sent to the solar panel dismantling and separation facility 102. This makes it possible to improve the yield rate of the glass panels 4 in the solar panel dismantling and separation facility 102 (the rate at which the glass panels 4 can be separated without breakage).

[0022] <Configuration example of solar panel recycling system 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention> FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a solar panel recycling system 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The solar panel recycling system 10 is a conventional solar panel recycling system 100 (FIG. 12) to which a microcrack inspection device 11 and solar panel crushing equipment 12 have been added. The same symbols are used for devices and equipment that are common to the solar panel recycling system 10 and the solar panel recycling system 100, and their explanations will be omitted. The microcrack inspection device 11 corresponds to the first microcrack inspection device of the present invention.

[0024] The microcrack inspection device 11 employs at least one of optical interference and ultrasonic flaw detection to detect microcracks that have occurred in the glass panels that make up the discarded solar panel 1, and determines whether the glass panel is prone to breaking based on the detection results. However, because optical interference requires less time for detection than ultrasonic flaw detection, it is preferable to employ optical interference when considering reducing the cost required for recycling.

[0025] Then, the microcrack inspection device 11 selects a recycling method for the solar panel 1 based on the fragility of the glass panel that constitutes the solar panel 1. Specifically, a solar panel 1 that is determined to have a glass panel that is not fragile (hard to break) is sent to the solar panel performance inspection device 101, and thereafter recycled in the same manner as before.

[0026] On the other hand, solar panels 1 whose glass panels are judged to be fragile are sent to solar panel crushing equipment 12 and crushed, and the crushed glass 7 obtained as a result is sent to glass remelting equipment 104, and silicon cells and metals 8 are sent to silicon cell and metal remelting equipment 103. Other crushed materials such as sealing materials are disposed of as waste.

[0027] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a microcrack inspection device 11 when an optical interference method is adopted.

[0028] The microcrack inspection device 11 includes a fixing unit 111 , a pressing unit 112 , an illumination unit 113 , an imaging unit 114 , and an image processing unit 115 .

[0029] The fixing parts 111 fix both longitudinal ends of the solar panel 1. The pressing parts 112 press the glass panel of the solar panel 1 from the surface opposite to the surface irradiated with light from the lighting part 113 in a direction that bends the glass panel of the solar panel 1 (upward from the lower surface in the drawing), causing strain of a strain amount SL (strain length) in the glass panel of the solar panel 1 (the strain amount SL will be described later).

[0030] Illumination unit 113 irradiates solar panel 1 with light of interference fringes 116 consisting of a plurality of concentric circles from an oblique direction. Imaging unit 114 captures images of interference fringes 116 in two states: when pressing unit 112 is not pressing against the glass panel of solar panel 1 (when no distortion is occurring), and when pressing unit 112 is pressing against the glass panel of solar panel 1 (when distortion is occurring). The imaging unit 114 outputs the two obtained images of interference fringes 116 to image processing unit 115.

[0031] The image processing unit 115 detects distortion of the interference fringes 116 in each of the two images, and detects the length and depth of microcracks occurring in the glass panel based on the detected distortion. Then, by comparing the detection result with predetermined thresholds a, b, c, and d, it is determined whether the glass panel is prone to breakage.

[0032] Threshold a is a threshold related to the length of microcracks, and may be set to, for example, 100 μm. Threshold b is a threshold related to the depth of microcracks, and may be set to, for example, 5 μm. Threshold c is a threshold related to the change in length of microcracks due to pressure being applied to the glass panel of the solar panel 1, and may be set to, for example, 10%. Threshold d is a threshold related to the number of microcracks, and may be set to, for example, 10.

[0033] For example, the image processing unit 115 determines that a microcrack detected based on the image of the interference fringes 116 has a length equal to or greater than a threshold value a, a depth equal to or greater than a threshold value b, and an extension rate of the length of the microcrack when the glass panel is not pressed and when it is pressed is equal to or greater than a threshold value c, as a microcrack that will develop into a crack; if the number of such microcracks is equal to or greater than a threshold value d, the glass panel is determined to be prone to cracking, and the solar panel 1 is sent to solar panel crushing equipment 12.

[0034] The above-mentioned explanation of determining whether the glass panel is a breakable solar panel 1 is an example and is not limited to this. The thresholds a, b, c, and d are changed depending on the size of the solar panel 1, the aspect ratio (for example, within 1:10), and the composition ratio of the material.

[0035] On the other hand, solar panels 1 whose glass panels are judged to be less likely to break are sent to a solar panel performance inspection device 101, and are then recycled as in the conventional case, but reusable solar panels 2 are traded at a price according to their future useful life, etc., and recycled glass panels 4 are traded at a price according to the length, depth, elongation rate of length, and number of detected microcracks.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a method for determining the optimum strain amount SL in the microcrack inspection device 11. As shown in FIG.

[0037] To replicate discarded solar panel 1, this determination method involved conducting an accelerated degradation test on a new solar panel equivalent to 30 years of outdoor use. In the accelerated degradation test, the new solar panel was left in an environment of 120°C temperature, 100% humidity, and 202 kPa pressure for 30 hours (acceleration rate: 1 year / hour). After the accelerated degradation test, both ends of the solar panel in the longitudinal direction were fixed, and the solar panel was pressed in the bending direction until the glass panel of solar panel 1 broke. The amount of bending when the glass panel broke was defined as X1 [mm], and the amount of strain X was calculated according to the following formula: where L [mm] is the longitudinal length of the glass panel. Strain amount X=X1 / L[%]

[0038] Figure 4 shows the change in strain X before and after the degradation test for glass samples No. 1 to No. 10 (brand new solar panels). The figure shows that while the strain X for brand new solar panels is 0.7 to 1.0%, the strain X for solar panels after the accelerated degradation test is reduced to 0.3 to 0.5%, with the minimum value being 0.3%.

[0039] Figure 5 shows the results of the microcrack inspection accuracy (dashed line) and the glass panel crack occurrence rate (solid line) versus the strain amount X in a solar panel after a degradation test. From this figure, it can be seen that the microcrack inspection accuracy increases in proportion to the strain amount X. On the other hand, the glass panel crack occurrence rate is 0% when the strain amount X is approximately 0 to 0.2%, but increases with the strain amount X once the strain amount X is 0.2% or more, and at a strain amount X of 0.5%, the glass panel crack occurrence rate is approximately 100%.

[0040] Considering that the safety factor of glass is generally set at 3 to 5 times, the strain amount X corresponding to a 50% crack occurrence rate for the glass panel is 0.32%. Therefore, the optimum strain amount SL for microcrack inspection is determined to be a maximum of 0.1% or less.

[0041] For example, if the longitudinal length of the solar panel 1 is 1000 mm, the pressing unit 112 of the microcrack inspection device 11 should press the solar panel 1 until the bending amount X1 becomes 1 mm so that the strain amount X becomes 0.1%.

[0042] Although a detailed explanation of the case where the microcrack inspection device 11 uses the ultrasonic flaw detection method will be omitted, similar to the optical interference method, ultrasonic waves are irradiated before and after causing distortion to the solar panel 1, and the presence or absence of microcracks that could cause cracks in the glass panel can be detected based on the difference in the measurement values.

[0043] According to the solar panel recycling system 10 described above, the microcrack inspection device 11 determines whether or not the glass panel is prone to breaking, and solar panels 1 whose glass panels are prone to breaking are sent to the solar panel crushing facility 12 rather than to the solar panel dismantling and separation facility 102. This improves the yield rate of glass panels 4 obtained by dismantling and separating discarded non-reusable solar panels 3, makes recycling more efficient (lower costs), reduces landfill waste, and takes measures against environmental impact and global warming by making effective use of resources.

[0044] FIG. 6 shows a modified example of the solar panel recycling system 10. This modified example adds a microcrack inspection device 13 that inspects the glass panels 4 dismantled and separated in the solar panel dismantling and separation facility 102. The microcrack inspection device 13 corresponds to the second microcrack inspection device of the present invention. The microcrack inspection device 13 is configured similarly to the microcrack inspection device 11, and is configured to detect the degree of deterioration of the glass panel 4 based on microcracks that have occurred in the glass panel 4, and select candidate reuse destinations for the glass panel 4 depending on the degree of deterioration. According to this modified example, candidate reuse destinations for the glass panel 4 can be selected depending on the degree of deterioration of the glass panel 4.

[0045] <Configuration example of solar panel recycling system 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention> Figure 7 shows an example of the configuration of a solar panel recycling system 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Of the components of the solar panel recycling system 20, those that are common to the solar panel recycling system 10 (Figure 1) are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0046] The solar panel recycling system 20 is obtained by adding a glass panel cleaning device 21 to the front stage of the microcrack inspection device 11 of the solar panel recycling system 10 (FIG. 1).

[0047] The glass panel cleaning device 21 is based on the premise that the downstream microcrack inspection device 11 employs an optical interference method, and cleans and removes dirt from the surface of the solar panel 1. By providing the glass panel cleaning device 21, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the accuracy of microcrack detection in the microcrack inspection device 11 due to dirt on the solar panel 1.

[0048] Even taking into account the time required to clean and remove dirt from the surface of the solar panel 1 in the glass panel cleaning device 21, the optical interference method can detect microcracks in a shorter time than the ultrasonic flaw detection method, which requires scanning the entire solar panel 1.

[0049] In addition to the same effects as those of the solar panel recycling system 10, the solar panel recycling system 20 can improve the accuracy of the microcrack inspection device 11 in determining whether the glass panel that constitutes the solar panel 1 is prone to breakage.

[0050] Figure 8 shows a modified example of solar panel recycling system 20. Similar to the modified example of solar panel recycling system 10 (Figure 6), this modified example adds a microcrack inspection device 13 that inspects glass panels 4 dismantled and separated in solar panel dismantling and separation equipment 102. According to this modified example, it is possible to select candidate destinations for reuse of glass panels 4 depending on the degree of deterioration of the glass panels 4.

[0051] <Configuration example of solar panel recycling system 30 according to the third embodiment of the present invention> Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of a solar panel recycling system 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Of the components of solar panel recycling system 30, those that are common to solar panel recycling system 20 (Figure 7) are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted.

[0052] The solar panel recycling system 30 is obtained by adding a yield rate DB (database) 31 and a machine learning device 32 to the solar panel recycling system 20 (FIG. 7).

[0053] The yield rate DB 31 accumulates as learning data the yield rate of glass panels 4 (the rate at which glass panels 4 can be separated without breakage) in the solar panel dismantling and separation equipment 102. The machine learning device 32 determines optimal thresholds a, b, c, and d that can improve the yield rate, for each combination of solar panel 1 size, aspect ratio, and material composition rate, based on the learning data accumulated in the yield rate DB 31 and the current thresholds a, b, c, and d for microcracks detected by the microcrack inspection device 11.

[0054] 10 shows an example of the configuration of the machine learning device 32. The machine learning device 32 includes a control unit 321, a processing unit 322, and a communication unit 323.

[0055] The machine learning device 32 is realized by a general computer such as a personal computer, a server computer, etc. The computer includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a storage such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a media drive, an output device such as a display, and a communication module such as an Ethernet (trademark) card or a Wi-Fi (trademark) adapter.

[0056] For example, the computer that constitutes the machine learning device 32 realizes a control unit 321 and a processing unit 322 by the processor executing a predetermined program stored in a memory.

[0057] The predetermined program executed by the processor may be stored in memory in advance, or may be downloaded from a predetermined server or the like via a removable medium (CD-ROM, flash memory, etc.) or a network such as the Internet, stored in storage, which is a non-transitory storage medium, and read from the storage when needed. For this reason, it is preferable that the computer has an interface for reading data from removable media.

[0058] Furthermore, the machine learning device 32 may be realized by one physical or logical computer, or by two or more physical or logical computers, which may be distributed and arranged on a network.

[0059] The control unit 321 controls the operations of the processing unit 322 and the communication unit 323. The processing unit 322 performs machine learning using the current thresholds a, b, c, and d and learning data as input, determines optimal thresholds a, b, c, and d, and outputs them to the communication unit 323.

[0060] The communication unit 323 is made up of a computer communication module, and acquires the current thresholds a, b, c, and d from the microcrack inspection device 11, acquires accumulated learning data from the yield rate DB 31, and outputs them to the processing unit 322. In addition, the communication unit 323 outputs the optimal thresholds a, b, c, and d determined by the processing unit 322 to the microcrack inspection device 11.

[0061] In addition to the same effects as those of the solar panel recycling system 20, the solar panel recycling system 30 can improve the yield rate of the glass panels 4 in the solar panel dismantling and separation facility 102.

[0062] Figure 11 shows a modified example of solar panel recycling system 30. Similar to the modified example of solar panel recycling system 10 (Figure 6), this modified example adds a microcrack inspection device 13 that inspects glass panels 4 dismantled and separated in solar panel dismantling and separation equipment 102. According to this modified example, it is possible to select candidate destinations for reuse of glass panels 4 depending on the degree of deterioration of the glass panels 4.

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiments have been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to those including all of the described configurations. Furthermore, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of one embodiment with or add to the configuration of another embodiment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 1···Solar panel, 2···Reusable solar panel, 3···Non-reusable solar panel, 4···Glass panel, 5···Broken glass, 6···Silicon cell and metal, 7···Crushed glass, 8···Silicon cell and metal, 10···Solar panel recycling system, 11···Microcrack inspection device, 111···Fixing unit, 112···Pressing unit, 113···Lighting unit, 114···Imaging unit, 115···Image processing unit, 12···Solar panel crushing equipment, 13···Microphone Rock crack inspection device, 20...Solar panel recycling system, 21...Glass panel cleaning device, 30...Solar panel recycling system, 31...Yield rate DB, 32...Machine learning device, 321...Control unit, 322...Processing unit, 323...Communication unit, 100...Solar panel recycling system, 101...Solar panel performance inspection device, 102...Solar panel dismantling and separation equipment, 103...Silicon cell and metal remelting equipment, 104...Glass remelting equipment

Claims

1. a detection step of detecting microcracks that have occurred in the glass panel in both a state in which a discarded solar panel is pressed to cause distortion in the glass panel that constitutes the solar panel and a state in which the distortion is not caused in the glass panel; a determining step of determining the susceptibility of the glass panel to break based on a change in the state of the microcracks before and after the distortion is generated; a selection step of selecting a recycling method for the solar panel based on the determination result of the fragility of the glass panel; Solar panel recycling methods, including:

2. The solar panel recycling method according to claim 1, The detecting step detects the microcracks by employing at least one of an optical interference method and an ultrasonic flaw detection method. How to recycle solar panels.

3. The solar panel recycling method according to claim 1, The selecting step includes: If it is determined in the determination step that the glass panel is fragile, a recycling method of crushing and melting the solar panel is selected. How to recycle solar panels.

4. The solar panel recycling method according to claim 1, In the detection step, the solar panel is pressed so that the amount of strain X calculated by the following formula becomes 0.1% where X1 is the amount of bending of the glass panel and L is the length of the glass panel in the longitudinal direction: Strain amount X = X1 / L [%] How to recycle solar panels.

5. The solar panel recycling method according to claim 1, a cleaning step of cleaning the surface of the solar panel prior to the detection step. How to recycle solar panels.

6. The solar panel recycling method according to claim 1, a performance inspection step of evaluating a service life based on the power generation performance of the solar panel when the glass panel is determined to be break-resistant in the determination step, and selecting, based on the service life, a recycling method of reusing the solar panel as a second-hand product or a recycling method of dismantling the solar panel and reusing the glass panel as a second-hand product; Solar panel recycling methods, including:

7. The solar panel recycling method according to claim 6, a machine learning step of creating a database of learning data on the yield rate of the glass panels when the solar panels are dismantled and the glass panels are reused as secondhand products, performing machine learning using the learning data and a threshold value used in determining the fragility of the glass panels in the determination step as inputs, and determining an optimal threshold value that can improve the yield rate; Solar panel recycling methods, including:

8. The solar panel recycling method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a reuse candidate selection step of detecting a degree of deterioration of the glass panel and selecting a candidate reuse candidate for the glass panel in accordance with the degree of deterioration when dismantling the solar panel and reusing the glass panel as a second-hand product; Solar panel recycling methods, including:

9. a first microcrack inspection device that detects microcracks that have occurred in a glass panel when a discarded solar panel is pressed to cause distortion in the glass panel that constitutes the solar panel and when no distortion is caused in the glass panel, and that determines the susceptibility of the glass panel to break based on changes in the state of the microcracks before and after causing the distortion; a solar panel crushing facility for crushing the solar panel whose glass panel has been determined to be fragile; a solar panel performance inspection device that evaluates the useful life of the solar panel based on the power generation performance of the solar panel whose glass panel has been determined to be less likely to break; a solar panel dismantling and separation facility that dismantles the solar panels whose service life is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold and separates the glass panels; A solar panel recycling system equipped with:

10. The solar panel recycling system according to claim 9, a glass remelting facility that melts at least one of the crushed glass output from the solar panel crushing facility and the broken glass output from the solar panel dismantling and separation facility. Solar panel recycling system.

11. The solar panel recycling system according to claim 9 or 10, a second microcrack inspection device that detects the degree of deterioration of the glass panel output from the solar panel dismantling and separation facility and selects candidates for reuse of the glass panel in accordance with the degree of deterioration. Solar panel recycling system.

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