SWOT Analysis of different Photovoltaic Panel Recycling Processes for the Brazilian reality

Despite being considered a form of green energy, Photovoltaic panels face a logistical challenge when it comes to proper disposal. As the end-of-life for first-generation panels approaches, exploring methodologies more suitable for the Brazilian context is essential, as this technology has not yet been widely adopted. This study analyzed recycling treatment methods from photovoltaic modules using the SWOT analysis tool, focusing on the Brazilian economy scenario. It used bibliometric searching for methodology. The three main comminution methods—thermal, physical, and chemical—were discussed among the other methods available for photovoltaic panel recycling. Scenario identification was used to evaluate these methods by cross-referencing the factors of the SWOT matrix to determine how each technique fits into a growth, development, maintenance, and survival scenario. The study concluded that the most suitable treatment method for Brazil's reality is thermal treatment, explicitly utilizing the Solvothermal Expansion with Thermal Decomposition (SSTD) or Electrothermal method, chosen from 11 possible methods. It was found that all chemical and physical treatments can produce some form of toxic effluent/waste during the process. In contrast, thermal treatments are already widely commercialized and make the smallest number of toxic compounds, dependent only on the energy source.