Solar panel separation apparatus and separation method

Abstract

Provided are a solar panel separation apparatus and separation method that enable a solar panel to be separated in a recyclable manner while minimizing damage to components. The solar panel separation apparatus comprises: a gripping unit for holding a solar panel comprising a transparent base layer, an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent base layer, and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer; and a microwave irradiation unit for irradiating microwaves to at least one of the adhesive layer and the solar cell layer of the solar panel so as to heat the adhesive layer to a temperature equal to or higher than an adhesive modification temperature.

Description

Solar panel separation device and separation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar panel separation device and a method for separating waste solar panels into a recyclable form without crushing them.

[0002] Solar power generation is known to have advantages in applicability and efficiency among various alternative energy sources. Solar cells, the basic units of solar power generation, are integrated into flat panels, and since solar panels with integrated cells can be handled as modules, they can be applied to a wide variety of facilities.

[0003] These solar panels are collected and disposed of when they reach the end of their lifespan. In cases where power generation facilities are large in scale or area, a large number of aging panels may be disposed of at once. Traditionally, waste solar panels were processed by simply crushing or shredding them; however, since this is inefficient from a resource circulation perspective, processing methods that involve decomposing or separating them to enable recycling are recommended.

[0004] However, since solar panels consist of heterogeneous structures such as protective tempered glass (transparent substrate layer), solar cells, and encapsulating materials containing the cells (EVA layer, which also serves as an adhesive layer) that are superimposed and bonded together, there is a problem in that it is difficult to decompose or separate them for recycling.

[0005] For example, a separation or peeling process is considered to separate tempered glass from waste solar panels without breaking it; however, it is difficult to cleanly detach the adhesive layer attached to the glass plate, and there is a high risk of damaging the glass plate during the process (pressure applied by blades, etc.). Other attempts, such as cutting methods (e.g., Korean Patent 10-2347986), have been made, but they are inefficient as they increase the number of steps and pose a risk of component damage. Therefore, the development of a more improved separation or peeling technology was necessary.

[0006] This invention was developed with the support of a national research and development project, and the information regarding the national research and development project supporting this invention is as follows.

[0007] Project ID: 2022003170

[0008] Project No.: 2022003170007

[0009] Ministry Name: Ministry of Environment

[0010] Project Management (Specialized) Agency Name: Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute

[0011] Research Project Name: Green Innovation Enterprise Growth Support Program (Commercialization)

[0012] Research Project Title: Development of Resource Recycling Process Technology for Waste Solar Panels and Technology Commercialization

[0013] Project Performing Organization Name: Wonkwang S&T Co., Ltd.

[0014] Research Period: April 1, 2022 – December 31, 2024

[0015] <Prior Art References>

[0016] (Patent Document 1) Korean Registered Patent Publication No. 10-2347986, (January 7, 2022)

[0017] The technical objective of the present invention is to solve these problems by providing a technology for separating waste solar panels so that they can be recycled, and in particular, to provide a solar panel separation device and a separation method that can separate panels while minimizing damage to other parts by modifying the adhesive layer.

[0018] The technical problems of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned technical problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description below.

[0019] A solar panel separation device according to the present invention comprises: a gripping unit for gripping a solar panel comprising a transparent substrate layer, an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent substrate layer, and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer; and a microwave irradiation unit for irradiating at least one of the adhesive layer and the solar cell layer of the solar panel with microwaves to heat the temperature of the adhesive layer above the adhesive denaturation temperature.

[0020] The above microwave irradiation unit can irradiate microwaves in the direction of the transparent substrate layer to dielectric heat the adhesive layer and simultaneously induction heat the solar cell layer.

[0021] The above microwave irradiation unit may include a microwave generator that generates microwaves and a microwave amplification module that distributes an electromagnetic field generated in response to the input microwaves around the solar cell layer.

[0022] The above microwave amplification module may include a microwave resonator.

[0023] The above microwave resonator may include a dielectric resonator made of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant value of 10 or more.

[0024] The microwave irradiation unit can irradiate microwaves onto a local irradiation area of ​​the solar panel to heat the adhesive layer above the adhesive modification temperature, and at least one of the gripping unit and the microwave irradiation unit can move to continuously move the irradiation area along the solar panel.

[0025] Another solar panel separation device according to the present invention may include: a gripping unit for gripping a solar panel comprising a transparent substrate layer, an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent substrate layer, and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer; a microwave generator for propagating microwaves into the solar panel through the transparent substrate layer; and a microwave amplification module interposed between the transparent substrate layer and the microwave generator for distributing an electromagnetic field generated in response to the input microwaves around the solar cell layer.

[0026] The above microwave generator is formed as a microwave antenna that radiates microwaves by being arranged in one or more ways, and the above microwave amplification module can be formed as a dielectric resonator that generates the electromagnetic field by dielectric resonance within the radiation field of the microwaves.

[0027] A method for separating a solar panel according to the present invention comprises: (a) a step of preparing a solar panel comprising a transparent substrate layer, an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent substrate layer, and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer; and (b) a step of irradiating at least one of the adhesive layer and the solar cell layer of the solar panel with microwaves to heat the temperature of the adhesive layer above the adhesive modification temperature.

[0028] In step (b) above, microwaves can be irradiated in the direction of the transparent substrate layer to dielectric heat the adhesive layer and simultaneously induction heat the solar cell layer.

[0029] The above step (b) can input at least a portion of the microwaves into a microwave amplification module to distribute the electromagnetic field generated in response to the input microwaves around the solar cell layer.

[0030] The above microwave amplification module may include a microwave resonator.

[0031] The above microwave resonator may include a dielectric resonator made of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant value of 10 or more.

[0032] Step (b) above can heat the adhesive layer above the adhesive modification temperature by irradiating a local irradiation area of ​​the solar panel with microwaves, and move at least one of the microwave irradiation unit that irradiates the microwaves and the solar panel to continuously move the irradiation area along the solar panel.

[0033] According to the present invention, physical damage to recovered components (tempered glass, solar cell layer, backsheet layer, etc.) can be minimized during the processing of waste solar panels. Since the present invention allows for separation without applying excessive pressure to the glass plate by modifying and melting the adhesive layer that maintains the bonding of the solar panel, it effectively resolves problems such as glass plate breakage (caused by blades, cutting edges, etc.) that occurred during conventional solar panel processing. Furthermore, since the method does not utilize an external heat source, the process is not only safe, but the device configuration is also simple, allowing for its application in various ways to suit different processes, thus offering high versatility. Therefore, the present invention enables the safe recovery of tempered glass from waste solar panels and allows for improvements to the entire processing process including this.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar panel separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the detailed structure of the microwave irradiation unit among the separation devices of Figure 1.

[0036] Figures 3 and 4 are drawings to explain the operating principle and method of the microwave irradiation unit of Figure 2.

[0037] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the separation operation of a solar panel by the microwave irradiation unit of Figure 2.

[0038] Figure 6 is an operation diagram of the solar panel separator of Figure 1.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a solar panel separation method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] The advantages and features of the present invention and the methods for achieving them will become clear by referring to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in various different forms. These embodiments are provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, and the present invention is defined only by the claims. Throughout the specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0041] Hereinafter, the solar panel separation device and separation method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. First, the solar panel separation device of the present invention will be described in detail, and then the separation method based thereon will be described.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a solar panel separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the detailed structure of a microwave irradiation unit among the separation devices of FIG. 1.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 1, the solar panel separation device (1) according to the present invention uses a microwave (B) to separate a waste solar panel (A) (hereinafter referred to as a solar panel). The microwave (B) is an electromagnetic wave within the range of approximately 0.3 to 300 GHz of frequency and is used to modify the adhesive layer (A2) of the solar panel (A). The microwave (B) is irradiated onto the adhesive layer (A2) through a transparent substrate layer (A1) (e.g., tempered glass) that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through, and can heat the temperature of the adhesive layer (A2) above the adhesive modification temperature (e.g., melting point).

[0044] At this time, two heating methods can be considered simultaneously. One is dielectric heating, which heats by penetrating microwaves (B) into the adhesive layer (A2), and the other is induction heating, which heats the metal layer [solar cell layer (A3)] through microwaves (B). Induction heating may be difficult to perform with microwaves in general, but it is possible and very useful under conditions where an electromagnetic field (especially a magnetic field) can be penetrated close to the metal layer using microwaves (conditions using a resonator, etc., as described later). Therefore, by utilizing both dielectric heating and / or induction heating by microwaves, the solar panel (A) in which the dielectric layer [adhesive layer (A2)] and the metal layer [solar cell layer (A3)] are bonded can be separated more effectively.

[0045] In other words, since the present invention is a method of separating the bonded area by heating the adhesive layer (A2) to melt it, pressure mechanisms such as blades, cutting blades, or scrapers that can damage the transparent substrate layer (A1) can be excluded or their use minimized. Therefore, problems such as the transparent substrate layer (A1) (e.g., tempered glass) frequently breaking during conventional peeling processes can be effectively resolved, and process improvements are possible by removing or reducing the use of pressure mechanisms.

[0046] The solar panel separation device (1) of the present invention is configured as follows. The solar panel separation device (1) comprises a gripping unit (100) for gripping a solar panel (A) including a transparent substrate layer (A1), an adhesive layer (A2) bonded to the transparent substrate layer (A1), and a solar cell layer (A3) laminated on the adhesive layer (A2), and a microwave irradiation unit (200) for irradiating microwaves to at least one of the adhesive layer (A2) and the solar cell layer (A3) of the solar panel (A) to heat the temperature of the adhesive layer (A2) above the adhesive modification temperature.

[0047] In this embodiment, the microwave irradiation unit (200) can irradiate microwaves (B) in the direction of the transparent substrate layer (A1) to dielectric heat the adhesive layer (A2) and simultaneously induction heat the solar cell layer (A3). To this end, it may include a microwave generator (see 210 in FIG. 2) that generates microwaves (B), and a microwave amplification module (see 220 in FIG. 2) that distributes an electromagnetic field [specifically, a magnetic field (see C in FIG. 3)] generated in response to the input microwaves (B) around the solar cell layer (A3). Accordingly, the magnetic field induced by the microwaves (B) generated from the microwave amplification module (220) can be applied to the metal layer to induce heat the metal layer [solar cell layer (A3)] by electromagnetic induction. In addition, at least a portion of the microwaves (B) can be directly penetrated into the adhesive layer (A2) to dielectric heat the adhesive layer (A2), thereby amplifying the heating effect. Therefore, it is possible to dismantle the solar panel (A) by allowing the adhesive layer (A2) to reach the deformation temperature more quickly. Based on this embodiment of the present invention, the structure and effects of the present invention will be explained in more detail below.

[0048] First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the solar panel (A), which is the subject of processing of the present invention, is briefly described as follows. The solar panel (A) may be configured in the form of a rectangular panel by laminating a transparent substrate layer (A1), an adhesive layer (A2), a solar cell layer (A3), and a back sheet layer (A4). The transparent substrate layer (A1) may be tempered glass and may be placed on the front of the panel. The back sheet layer (A4) may be placed on the rear of the panel. The adhesive layer (A2) is commonly referred to as an EVA (Ethylene vinyl acetate) layer and may be a layer that wraps around and seals the solar cell layer (A3) and bonds it to the transparent substrate layer (A1) and the back sheet layer (A4). Therefore, if the adhesive layer (A2) is modified and melted, the entire solar panel (A) can be easily disassembled. The solar cell layer (A3) is a composite of a semiconductor and an electrode layer that generate photocurrent and can conduct current, so it can function as a metal layer (or conductor layer) capable of generating induced current.

[0049] In this embodiment, a single-sided panel in which a transparent substrate layer (A1) is formed on only one side is exemplified, but since an adhesive layer (A2) and a solar cell layer (A3) are formed identically in a double-sided panel in which a transparent substrate layer is formed on both sides, the present invention can also be applied to a double-sided panel.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, a gripping unit (100) is installed to secure a solar panel (A). The gripping unit (100) may have the function of securing the solar panel (A) to a dismantled position or moving it to adjust its position. Within such limits, the gripping unit (100) can be modified in various ways and is not limited to the drawing. For example, the gripping unit (100) may include a pusher (110) that pushes the solar panel (A) in the longitudinal direction and a guide part (120) that supports the solar panel (A) so that it can move. The guide part (120) may be formed with a roller, etc., and other guide structures such as a guide bar are also possible.

[0051] This gripping unit (100) is just one example and can be modified into various other forms. For example, the gripping unit (100) may have one or more of the following applied: a fixed and / or movable table structure, a conveyor structure, a fixed and / or movable arm structure capable of gripping a solar panel with a clamp or suction part. The gripping unit (100) is not limited to a specific structure.

[0052] The microwave irradiation unit (200) may be positioned adjacent to the gripping unit (100). The microwave irradiation unit (200) is formed in a suitable shape capable of irradiating microwaves (B) toward the solar panel (A), and its position or shape may be variable. For example, the microwave irradiation unit (200) may have a rectangular structure that is long in the width direction of the solar panel (A) and may irradiate microwaves (B) while moving relative to the solar panel (A) in the length direction of the solar panel (A) (see FIG. 6). In such a case, the microwave irradiation unit (200) may also include a driving unit (not shown) capable of position adjustment. Since the microwave irradiation unit (200) can also be modified in various ways, the drawings are exemplary.

[0053] For example, the microwave irradiation unit (200) may have a structure in which a plurality of module parts (202) are assembled in a holder (201). The module parts (202) may be units capable of microwave (B) irradiation and may be configured so that their number and arrangement can be changed as needed. By applying a unit structure such as these module parts (202), the total irradiation range and amount of microwave (B) can be easily adjusted. However, although it is not limited thereto, the detailed configuration of the microwave irradiation unit (200) will be explained in more detail below using such a module part (202) structure as an example.

[0054] FIGS. 3 and 4 are drawings for explaining the operating principle and method of the microwave irradiation unit of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating the separation operation of a solar panel by the microwave irradiation unit of FIG. 2.

[0055] Referring to FIG. 2, the module portion (202) of the microwave irradiation unit (see 200 in FIG. 1) may include a microwave generator (210) and a microwave amplification module (220). The microwave generator (210) generates microwaves (B) and provides them to the solar panel (A), and the microwave amplification module (220) can distribute an electromagnetic field [specifically, a magnetic field (see C in FIG. 3)] generated in response to the input microwaves (B) around the solar cell layer (A3). By continuously arranging such a structure in the width direction of the solar panel (A), dielectric heating and induction heating can be generated simultaneously across the entire width direction of the solar panel (A).

[0056] The microwave generator (210) can have various structures capable of generating and / or radiating microwaves (B). In this embodiment, a microwave generator (210) with a radiating antenna structure is exemplified, but other structures (e.g., other types of radiating antennas and / or antenna composites and / or waveguide structures capable of transmitting and radiating microwaves, etc.) can also be selected and / or applied in combination as long as they are capable of generating and / or radiating microwaves (B).

[0057] A microwave irradiation unit (see 200 in FIG. 1) irradiates microwaves (B) in the direction of the transparent substrate layer (A1) of a solar panel (A) using such a microwave generator (210). Thus, microwaves (B) can easily penetrate into the solar panel (A) through the transparent substrate layer (A1) (e.g., tempered glass) that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through. The microwave generator (210) can adjust or expand the microwave (B) irradiation range by modifying its structure or shape, or by overlapping one or more of them (in each module).

[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, the microwave amplification module (220) can receive such microwaves (B) and distribute a fluctuating electromagnetic field [specifically, a magnetic field (C)] generated in response to the microwaves (B) around the solar cell layer (A3). The microwave amplification module (220) can be excited by the excitation of microwaves to perform this function and can be formed to include a microwave resonator capable of such function. More preferably, the microwave amplification module (220) can be formed as a dielectric resonator (221) that absorbs microwaves (B) by dielectric resonance and generates a corresponding electromagnetic field, thereby resonating (e.g., polar molecule resonance caused by the electromagnetic field vibration of microwaves) when microwaves (B) are incident thereon and can distribute the electromagnetic field to the interior and surrounding regions. At this time, the electric field generated by resonance is generally located inside the resonator, and the magnetic field (C) can exist in a loop shape around the dielectric resonator (221), so the magnetic field (C) can be effectively applied to the metal layer, which is the solar cell layer (A3), through the dielectric resonator (221).

[0059] At this time, the electromagnetic field around the dielectric resonator (221) can be influenced in various ways by the shape, structure, dielectric constant, number or arrangement of the resonators, etc., and the resonance characteristics, etc., can also vary depending on the material of the dielectric resonator (221). Therefore, the material, shape, structure, arrangement, etc. of the dielectric resonator (221) can be varied in various ways to be advantageous for resonance by microwaves (B) (the shape in the drawing is an example thereof). In addition, it is possible to adjust the frequency of the microwaves (B) accordingly, so the two can be mutually adjusted to generate an appropriate electromagnetic field. Preferably, the dielectric resonator (221) can be made of a dielectric material with a dielectric constant value of 10 or more.

[0060] With this configuration, the microwave irradiation unit (see 200 in FIG. 1) can modify the adhesive layer (A2) as follows. Referring to FIG. 4, when microwaves (B) are generated from the microwave generator (210), the microwaves (B) can be irradiated in a radial manner toward the transparent substrate layer (A1). At this time, at least a portion of the microwaves (B) penetrate the transparent substrate layer (A1) without interfering with obstacles and directly penetrate the adhesive layer (A2). Thus, the electric field of the microwaves (B) can vibrate the polar molecules of the adhesive layer (A2) to dielectric heat the adhesive layer (A2). Therefore, the adhesive layer (A2) generates heat on its own due to the dielectric heating of the microwaves.

[0061] At the same time, another portion of the microwave (B) is incident on the microwave amplification module (220) formed by the aforementioned dielectric resonator (221), generating an electromagnetic field that fluctuates around it due to dielectric resonance. At this time, the magnetic field (C), which is expanded in space in a loop shape, fluctuates in a state parallel to the solar cell layer (A3), which is a metal layer (this can also be based on boundary conditions at the conductor interface), and induces a current, so heat generation (Joule heating due to induced current) occurs in the solar cell layer (A3), which is a metal layer, due to electromagnetic induction. That is, the dielectric heating of the adhesive layer (A2) and the induction heating of the solar cell layer (A3) overlap, so the temperature of the adhesive layer (A2) can rise rapidly.

[0062] Understanding this, the adhesive layer (A2) is heated very easily above the adhesive modification temperature (e.g., melting point) when microwaves are irradiated. That is, since dielectric heating of the adhesive layer (A2) and induction heating of the solar cell layer (A3) can be generated simultaneously using microwaves (B), heat (D) can be concentrated on the adhesive layer (A2) to melt and remove the adhesive layer (A2) with heat. Through this, not only can the adhesive layer (A2) between the transparent substrate layer (A1) and the solar cell layer (A3) be immediately dismantled, but the adhesive layer (A2) between the back sheet layer (A4) and the solar cell layer (A3), which is difficult for microwaves (B) to penetrate directly, can also be melted by the effect of induction heating.

[0063] In this regard, the present invention can also be understood as having the following configuration. That is, the solar panel separation device (1) can also be understood as comprising a gripping unit (see 100 in FIG. 1) that grips a solar panel (A) including a transparent substrate layer (A1), an adhesive layer (A2) bonded to the transparent substrate layer (A1), and a solar cell layer (A3) laminated on the adhesive layer (A2); a microwave generator (210) that propagates microwaves (B) into the solar panel (A) through the transparent substrate layer (A1); and a microwave amplification module (220) that is interposed between the transparent substrate layer (A1) and the microwave generator (210) and distributes an electromagnetic field generated in response to the input microwaves (B) around the solar cell layer (A3). In particular, in this configuration, the microwave generator (210) is formed as a microwave antenna that radiates microwaves (B) by being arranged in one or more ways to expand the radiation area, and the microwave amplification module (220) can be formed as a dielectric resonator (221) that generates an electromagnetic field by dielectric resonance within the radiation field of the microwaves (B). Therefore, it is possible to simultaneously perform dielectric heating of the adhesive layer (A2) and induction heating of the solar cell layer (A3) using the microwaves (B) generated by the microwave generator (210).

[0064] Referring to FIG. 5, this operation can be carried out by moving the solar panel (A) and the microwave irradiation unit (see 200 in FIG. 1) relative to each other. Thus, as illustrated, a molten adhesive layer (A2) heated above the modification temperature can be created over the entire solar panel (A). That is, the microwave irradiation unit (200) [module part (202) in the drawing] irradiates microwaves (B) to a local irradiation area of ​​the solar panel (A) to heat the adhesive layer (A2) above the adhesive modification temperature, and at least one of the gripping unit (see 100 in FIG. 1) and the microwave irradiation unit (200) can move to continuously move the irradiation area along the solar panel (A). Through this process, the adhesive layer over the entire long solar panel (A) can be effectively melted. Hereinafter, an application example of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 6.

[0065] Figure 6 is an operation diagram of the solar panel separator of Figure 1.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the solar panel separation device (1) of FIG. 1. As described above, the microwave irradiation unit (200) may have a rectangular structure that is long in the width direction of the solar panel (A) and may irradiate microwaves (B) while moving relative to the solar panel (A) in the length direction of the solar panel (A). At this time, the irradiation area where microwaves (B) are irradiated [which also overlaps with the area where the magnetic field (see C in FIG. 4) is distributed] may be a local area of ​​the solar panel (A), but the irradiation area may be continuously moved to the entire solar panel (A) by moving at least one of the gripping unit (100) and the microwave irradiation unit (200). For example, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the microwave irradiation unit (200) can be fixed and the pusher (110) of the gripping unit (100) can be pushed to move the solar panel (A), or as shown in FIG. 6 (b), the gripping unit (100) can be fixed and the microwave irradiation unit (200) can be moved to change the relative position of the microwave irradiation unit (200) with respect to the solar panel (A). Even if the microwave irradiation unit (200) is formed in such a way that microwaves (B) are irradiated in a local area, the adhesive layer (see A2 in FIG. 1) on the front surface of the solar panel (A) can be modified by changing the relative position with respect to the solar panel (A) and continuously moving the irradiation point.

[0067] As the adhesive layer (A2) that has been modified and melted in this way has its adhesive force removed, it can be easily disassembled or removed. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, the melted adhesive layer (A2) can be spread open to easily separate the transparent substrate layer (A1). When separating, for example, a wedge structure that widens the gap may be utilized. After sufficiently melting the adhesive layer (A2), the transparent substrate layer (A1) and the remaining part can be twisted and detached, or the remaining part including the solar cell layer (A3) can be rolled up and detached. Since the interlayer bonding is effectively released when the adhesive layer (A2) is heated and melted above the adhesive modification temperature, the transparent substrate layer (A1) can be separated in various possible ways. In addition, the remaining layers, such as the solar cell layer (A3) and the backsheet layer (A4), can also be easily separated in the same way. In this way, the waste solar panel (A) can be conveniently decomposed using microwaves.

[0068] Hereinafter, a method for separating a solar panel according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. Since the solar panel separation method of the present invention may utilize the solar panel separation device described above, details regarding the configuration of the device will be described above. Hereinafter, the description of the method will proceed by referring to other drawings together with the flowchart of FIG. 7.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a solar panel separation method according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 7, the method for separating a solar panel according to the present invention comprises the following steps. First, a solar panel (see A in FIG. 1) is prepared, comprising a transparent substrate layer (see A1 in FIG. 1), an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent substrate layer (see A2 in FIG. 1), and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer (see A3 in FIG. 1) [Step S100-(a)]. Since the prepared solar panel is a waste solar panel and is identical to the solar panel described above, the relevant details are referred to in the description above.

[0071] Subsequently, microwaves (see B in Fig. 4) are irradiated onto at least one of the adhesive layer (see A2 in Fig. 4) and the solar cell layer (see A3 in Fig. 4) of the solar panel to heat the adhesive layer to a temperature above the adhesive modification temperature [Step S200-(b)]. As previously described, this step can be performed using a microwave irradiation unit (see 200 in Fig. 1), and the microwaves (B) can be irradiated using a microwave generator (see 210 in Fig. 4). As this has also been described above, refer to the previously described details for further information.

[0072] In particular, when heating the adhesive layer [i.e., in step (b)], microwaves (see B in FIG. 4) can be irradiated in the direction of the transparent substrate layer (see A1 in FIG. 4) as described above to dielectric heat the adhesive layer (A2) and simultaneously inductively heat the solar cell layer (A3). Therefore, the temperature of the adhesive layer (A2) rises rapidly above the denaturation temperature due to the effect of overlapping heating.

[0073] As described above in this step, at least a portion of the microwave (B) can be input into a microwave amplification module (see 220 in FIG. 4) to distribute an electromagnetic field [specifically a magnetic field (see C in FIG. 4)] generated in response to the input microwave around the solar cell layer (A3). Through this, the solar cell layer (A3) can be inductively heated by electromagnetic induction, and at the same time, the adhesive layer (A2) can be dielectrically heated by the penetration of the microwave (B). At this time, the microwave amplification module (220) may include a microwave resonator as described above, and the microwave resonator may be formed by including a dielectric resonator (see 221 in FIG. 4) made of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant value of 10 or more. Through this, dielectric heating and induction heating can be performed more effectively simultaneously. Since the relevant details have been described above, specific details refer to the description above.

[0074] In this step [i.e., step (b)], as described above, a microwave irradiation area is formed locally on the solar panel (see A in FIG. 6), and processing can be performed by moving at least one of the microwave irradiation unit (see 200 in FIG. 6) and the solar panel (A). That is, microwaves (see B in FIG. 6) are irradiated onto the local irradiation area of ​​the solar panel to heat the adhesive layer above the adhesive degeneration temperature, and at least one of the microwave irradiation unit (200) and the solar panel (A) can be moved to continuously move the irradiation area along the solar panel. Therefore, as described above, even if a microwave irradiation area is formed locally, the adhesive layer of the entire solar panel can be heated and dismantled. When moving, as described above, the microwave irradiation unit (200) can be moved, and the gripping unit (see 100 in FIG. 6) that grips the solar panel can also be moved, so the entire adhesive layer can be dismantled by moving them relatively. Since this has also been described above, specific details are to refer to the description above.

[0075] In this way, the adhesive layer can be melted and dismantled by irradiating the solar panel with microwaves. In particular, since the application of microwaves generates dielectric heating of the adhesive layer (see A2 in Fig. 4) and induction heating of the solar cell layer (see A3 in Fig. 4), the process is safe as it does not use an external heat source, and the adhesive layer can be modified very quickly because the heating effect is concentrated on the adhesive layer. Through this, if the temperature of the adhesive layer is raised above the adhesive modification temperature, the adhesive layer melts, and the solar panel can dismantle itself.

[0076] Afterward, the solar panel is separated into individual parts (S300). Since the adhesive layer has already melted and lost its adhesive strength due to the aforementioned step, the individual parts can be separated by applying various methods. That is, since the modified and melted adhesive layer (see A2 in FIG. 5) has its adhesive strength removed and can be easily disassembled or removed, the transparent substrate layer (see A1 in FIG. 5) can be easily separated by spreading the melted adhesive layer (A2). When separating, a wedge structure that opens the gap can be utilized as described above, and after sufficiently melting the adhesive layer, the transparent substrate layer (A1) and the remaining part can be twisted and detached, or the remaining part including the solar cell layer (see A3 in FIG. 5) can be rolled up and detached. When the adhesive layer (A2) is heated above the adhesive modification temperature and melts, the interlayer bonding is substantially released, so the transparent substrate layer (A1) can be separated by various possible methods. In the same way, the remaining layers, such as the solar cell layer (A3) and the backsheet layer (A4), can also be easily separated. In this way, waste solar panels (A) can be effectively decomposed using microwaves.

[0077] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms without changing its technical concept or essential features. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive.

[0078] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0079] 1: Solar panel separator 100: Grafting unit

[0080] 110: Pusher 120: Guide section

[0081] 200: Microwave irradiation unit 201: Holder

[0082] 202: Module section 210: Microwave generator

[0083] 220: Microwave amplifier module 221: Dielectric resonator

[0084] A: Solar panel A1: Transparent substrate layer

[0085] A2: Adhesive layer A3: Solar cell layer

[0086] A4: Backsheet layer B: Microwave

[0087] C: Magnetic field D: Heat

[0088] This invention enables separation of a glass plate without applying excessive pressure by modifying and melting the adhesive layer that maintains the bonding of the solar panel, thereby effectively resolving problems such as glass plate breakage (caused by blades, cutting edges, etc.) that occurred during conventional solar panel processing. Consequently, physical damage to recovered components (tempered glass, solar cell layers, backsheet layers, etc.) can be minimized during the disposal of waste solar panels, allowing for improvements to the overall waste solar panel processing process and demonstrating high industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A gripping unit for gripping a solar panel comprising a transparent substrate layer, an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent substrate layer, and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer; and A solar panel separation device comprising a microwave irradiation unit that irradiates microwaves to at least one of the adhesive layer and the solar cell layer of the solar panel to heat the temperature of the adhesive layer above the adhesive modification temperature.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above microwave irradiation unit is, A solar panel separator that irradiates microwaves in the direction of the transparent substrate layer to dielectric heat the adhesive layer and simultaneously induction heat the solar cell layer.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above microwave irradiation unit is, A microwave generator that generates microwaves, and A solar panel separation device comprising a microwave amplification module that distributes an electromagnetic field generated in response to an input microwave around the solar cell layer.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above microwave amplification module is a microwave solar panel separation device including a microwave resonator.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above microwave resonator is a solar panel separation device comprising a dielectric resonator made of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant value of 10 or more.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above microwave irradiation unit irradiates microwaves to a local irradiation area of ​​the solar panel to heat the adhesive layer above the adhesive modification temperature, and A solar panel separation device in which at least one of the above-mentioned gripping unit and the above-mentioned microwave irradiation unit moves to continuously move the irradiation area along the solar panel.

7. A gripping unit for gripping a solar panel comprising a transparent substrate layer, an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent substrate layer, and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer; A microwave generator that propagates microwaves into the interior of the solar panel through the transparent substrate layer; and A solar panel separation device comprising a microwave amplification module interposed between the transparent substrate layer and the microwave generator, which distributes an electromagnetic field generated in response to an input microwave around the solar cell layer.

8. In Paragraph 7, The above microwave generator is formed as a microwave antenna that radiates microwaves by being arranged in one or more ways, and The above microwave amplification module is a solar panel separation device formed by a dielectric resonator that generates the electromagnetic field by dielectric resonance within the radiation field of the microwave.

9. (a) A step of preparing a photovoltaic panel comprising a transparent substrate layer, an adhesive layer bonded to the transparent substrate layer, and a solar cell layer laminated on the adhesive layer; and (b) A method for separating a solar panel comprising the step of irradiating at least one of the adhesive layer and the solar cell layer of the solar panel with microwaves to heat the temperature of the adhesive layer above the adhesive modification temperature.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above step (b) is a solar panel separation method in which microwaves are irradiated in the direction of the transparent substrate layer to dielectric heat the adhesive layer and simultaneously induction heat the solar cell layer.

11. In Paragraph 9, The above step (b) is a solar panel separation method in which at least a portion of the microwaves is input into a microwave amplification module and an electromagnetic field generated in response to the input microwaves is distributed around the solar cell layer.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above microwave amplification module is a method for separating microwave solar panels including a microwave resonator.

13. In Paragraph 12, A method for separating solar panels, wherein the microwave resonator comprises a dielectric resonator made of a dielectric material having a dielectric constant value of 10 or more.

14. In Paragraph 9, The above step (b) involves irradiating microwaves onto a local irradiation area of ​​the solar panel to heat the adhesive layer above the adhesive modification temperature, and A solar panel separation method that moves at least one of the microwave irradiation unit that irradiates the microwaves and the solar panels to continuously move the irradiation area along the solar panels.

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