Solar panel, photovoltaic

Photovoltaic solar panels are used to generate electricity (as opposed to thermal panels, which are used for heating up water or rooms). The process described here is for "multicrystalline silicon solar cells", but other kinds of solar panel are very similar in their environmental impact.

The process of constructing a solar panel starts with silicon wafers, which are processed, coated with antireflective glass and finally encapsulated in a plastic and aluminum frame.

The recycling of solar panels is rather difficult, and after their useful life of about 25 years they are disposed on the landfills.

Main source: here.