US 12,350,918 B2
Method and systems for recycling end-of-life photovoltaic modules
Taesung Kim, Lake Forest, IL (US)
Filed by Taesung Kim, Lake Forest, IL (US)
Filed on Apr. 18, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/639,835.
Application 18/639,835 is a continuation of application No. 17/874,044, filed on Jul. 26, 2022, granted, now 11,987,037.
Application 17/874,044 is a continuation of application No. 17/347,171, filed on Jun. 14, 2021, granted, now 11,407,215, issued on Aug. 9, 2022.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/124,844, filed on Dec. 13, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0262097 A1, Aug. 8, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B32B 43/00 (2006.01); B32B 38/10 (2006.01); B65G 1/02 (2006.01); H02S 99/00 (2014.01)
CPC B32B 43/006 (2013.01) [B32B 38/10 (2013.01); B65G 1/02 (2013.01); H02S 99/00 (2013.01); B32B 2310/0806 (2013.01); B32B 2457/12 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of decommissioning a solar module installation comprising a plurality of solar modules, the method comprising:
selecting a first solar module of the plurality of solar modules, the first solar module comprising a plurality of solar cells, a front layer, a back sheet, a first layer of encapsulant between the front layer and the plurality of solar cells, and a second layer of encapsulant between the back sheet and the plurality of solar cells;
applying X-ray radiation to the first solar module to debond at least one of the first layer of encapsulant or the second layer of encapsulant; and
separating at least one of the front layer or the back sheet from the plurality of solar cells.