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KS update 1.2
== Recycling ==
== Recycling ==
Photovoltaic solar panels are built to last about thirty years. So far, most of the solar panels, originally created in the 1980's have not yet reached the end of their estimated lifespans. Many of the solar panels which have expired, however, have been classified as hazardous waste. The used solar panels that have not been considered dangerous can be recycled to create new solar panels. Over 90% of the solar panel is recyclable to create either new solar panels or scrap material. First, the panels are broken down by removing the metal frames and glass plate, leaving the group of [[solar cell]] sandwiched between an [[:en:Ethylene-vinyl_acetate|ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)]] resin and back film. To actually get to the solar cells themselves, the resin and backing must be removed. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.seia.org/policy/environment/pv-recycling |title= PV Recycling |work= |publisher= SEIA |accessdate= May 7, 2015}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url= http://2011.solarteam.org/news/recycling-methods-for-used-photovoltaic-panels |title= Recycling Methods for Used Photovoltaic Panels |author= Nick Weadock |date= September 1, 2011 |work= |publisher= Watershed |accessdate=May 7, 2015}}</ref>
Photovoltaic solar panels are built to last about thirty years. So far, most of the solar panels, originally created in the 1980's have not yet reached the end of their estimated lifespans. Many of the solar panels which have expired, however, have been classified as hazardous waste. The used solar panels that have not been considered dangerous can be recycled to create new solar panels.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Solar Panel Recycling|url=http://werecyclesolar.com/recycle/|url-status=live|access-date=2021-04-05|website=We Recycle Solar|language=en-US}}</ref> Over 90% of the solar panel is recyclable to create either new solar panels or scrap material. First, the panels are broken down by removing the metal frames and glass plate, leaving the group of [[solar cell]] sandwiched between an [[:en:Ethylene-vinyl_acetate|ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA)]] resin and back film. To actually get to the solar cells themselves, the resin and backing must be removed. <ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.seia.org/policy/environment/pv-recycling |title= PV Recycling |work= |publisher= SEIA |accessdate= May 7, 2015}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url= http://2011.solarteam.org/news/recycling-methods-for-used-photovoltaic-panels |title= Recycling Methods for Used Photovoltaic Panels |author= Nick Weadock |date= September 1, 2011 |work= |publisher= Watershed |accessdate=May 7, 2015}}</ref>
== Usage ==
== Usage ==
The top ten uses for solar panels include,
The top ten uses for solar panels include,
* heat for your home
* heat for home or other building
* power pumps
* power pumps
* indoor and out door light battery charging in the sunny day for use through the nighttime hours.
* [[battery charger]] in the sunny day to power [[lighting]] through the nighttime hours
* powering your home, camper, cabin, tool shed, or any other building for that matter.
* powering your home, camper, cabin, tool shed, or other building
* when heating swimming pools, a solar hot water heating system uses the solar hot water heating panels. Those can be put on your roof to collect the sun’s heat and then is brought to the pool.
* for [[swimming pool]]<nowiki/>s, a solar [[water heating]] system uses solar hot water panels. They may be put on your roof to collect the sun’s heat and bring the water to the pool.
* Solar panels are also being used in [[space exploration]] and other forms of transportation.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://electrical.about.com/od/appliances/tp/Top-10-Solar-Energy-Uses.htm |title= Top 10 Energy Uses |author= Timothy Thiele |work= |publisher= About Home |accessdate=May 17, 2015}}</ref>
* Solar panels are also being used in [[space exploration]] and other forms of transportation.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://electrical.about.com/od/appliances/tp/Top-10-Solar-Energy-Uses.htm |title= Top 10 Energy Uses |author= Timothy Thiele |work= |publisher= About Home |accessdate=May 17, 2015}}</ref>