Delaminating and laminating of photovoltaic modules and solar cells using microwaves

A photovoltaic module delamination apparatus comprising:

• a holder for receiving a photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module comprising at least one solar cell comprising silicon, the solar cell having a first surface and a second surface, a first protective sheet, and a first encapsulant material positioned between the first surface of the at least one solar cell and the first protective sheet and fixing the first protective sheet to the at least one solar cell;
• a microwave device;
• and
• a controller configured to control the microwave device to apply microwave radiation to the at least one solar cell to heat the at least one solar cell to a temperature above a melting or softening temperature of the first encapsulant material, wherein heat is transferred from the at least one solar cell to the first encapsulant material;
• wherein:
• the heat transferred from the at least one solar cell to the first encapsulant material causes the first encapsulant material to melt or soften;
• or
• wherein the heat transferred from the at least one solar cell to the first encapsulant material causes a structural modification in the first encapsulant material and wherein the structural modification causes partial or full separation of the first protective sheet from the at least one solar cell.

A photovoltaic module delamination apparatus comprising:

• a holder for receiving a photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module comprising at least one solar cell comprising silicon, the solar cell having a first surface and a second surface, a first protective sheet, and a first encapsulant material positioned between the first surface of the at least one solar cell and the first protective sheet and fixing the first protective sheet to the at least one solar cell;
• a microwave device;
• a controller configured to control the microwave device to apply microwave radiation to the at least one solar cell to heat the at least one solar cell to a temperature above a melting or softening temperature of the first encapsulant material, wherein heat is transferred from the at least one solar cell to the first encapsulant material;
• and
• a separation device configured to separate the first protective sheet from the at least one solar cell while the first encapsulant material is in a melted, softened, or structurally modified state.

A photovoltaic module delamination apparatus comprising:

• a holder for receiving a photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module comprising at least one solar cell comprising silicon, the solar cell having a first surface and a second surface, a first protective sheet, and a first encapsulant material positioned between the first surface of the at least one solar cell and the first protective sheet and fixing the first protective sheet to the at least one solar cell;
• a microwave device;
• and
• a controller configured to control the microwave device to apply microwave radiation to the at least one solar cell to heat the at least one solar cell to a temperature above a melting or softening temperature of the first encapsulant material, wherein heat is transferred from the at least one solar cell to the first encapsulant material, wherein:
• (i) the holder comprises an enclosed cavity and the microwave device is a magnetron or other solid-state microwave generator;
• or
• (ii) the holder has an open configuration;
• and the microwave device comprises a microwave gun or microwave antenna.

A photovoltaic module delamination apparatus comprising:

• a holder for receiving a photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module comprising at least one solar cell comprising silicon, the solar cell having a first surface and a second surface, a first protective sheet, and a first encapsulant material positioned between the first surface of the at least one solar cell and the first protective sheet and fixing the first protective sheet to the at least one solar cell;
• a microwave device;
• and
• a controller configured to control the microwave device to apply microwave radiation to the at least one solar cell to heat the at least one solar cell to a temperature above a melting or softening temperature of the first encapsulant material, wherein heat is transferred from the at least one solar cell to the first encapsulant material, wherein the holder comprises a conveyor belt.

A photovoltaic module delamination apparatus comprising:

• a holder for receiving a photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module comprising at least one solar cell comprising silicon, the solar cell having a first surface and a second surface, a first protective sheet, and a first encapsulant material positioned between the first surface of the at least one solar cell and the first protective sheet and fixing the first protective sheet to the at least one solar cell;
• a microwave device;
• a controller configured to control the microwave device to apply microwave radiation to the at least one solar cell to heat the at least one solar cell to a temperature above a melting or softening temperature of the first encapsulant material, wherein heat is transferred from the at least one solar cell to the first encapsulant material;
• and
• a conventional thermal heat source configured to assist the heating of the at least one solar cell to a temperature above a melting or softening temperature of the first encapsulant material.