Photovoltaic panels and glass mix

To address the issue of end-of-life PV panels and sand shortages for concrete, incorporating solar PV glass into concrete could be a potential solution. In separate studies conducted by Sadati and Khayat and Du and Tan , the impact of PV glass on concrete was investigated.

PV panels consist of multiple layers of material contained within a metal frame (as depicted in Figure 1), with the PV cell layer located beneath a protective glass layer consisting of various silicone polymers . It has been predicted that the amount of PV waste generated globally will reach 78 million tonnes per year by 2050 .

In separate studies conducted by Sadati and Khayat and Du and Tan , the impact of PV glass on concrete was investigated. The research revealed that when more than 30% of cement was replaced with PV glass, there was a reduction in early-age strength, with reductions exceeding 35%.

The replacement ratios were 20%, 50% and 80% of natural sands. The results indicate that, up to 80% natural sands can be replaced by PV glass without significantly detrimental impact on the mechanical performance. Regarding ASR, the results show that it is safe to replace up to 50% natural sands with PV glass.

This means that a significant amount of PV panels will end up in landfills in the coming decades. While in use, PV panels are subject to various environmental stressors such as dust and hailstorms, which can cause physical damage and lead to glass breakage and loosened frames.

The research revealed that when more than 30% of cement was replaced with PV glass, there was a reduction in early-age strength, with reductions exceeding 35%. The effect on later compressive strength when using PV glass in concrete was inconclusive in both studies, with some showing a small increase and others showing a small decrease.