SOLAR PANELS – A GLOBAL E-WASTE: TRACKING THE FATE AND BEHAVIOR OF EMERGING SOIL POLLUTANTS USING STABLE ISOTOPE PROXIES
Public support
Provider
Czech Science Foundation
Programme
Standard projects
Call for proposals
SGA0202600001
Main participants
Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze / Fakulta agrobiologie, potravinových a přírodních zdrojů
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
26-21313S
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
SOLAR PANELS – A GLOBAL E-WASTE: TRACKING THE FATE AND BEHAVIOR OF EMERGING SOIL POLLUTANTS USING STABLE ISOTOPE PROXIES
Annotation in Czech
Crystalline silicon solar panels (SPs) are the most widely used type of photovoltaics worldwide, accounting for ~90% of the total market share. Beyond the general strategy of proper recycling of SPs, there is evidence of unsustainable disposal of this e-waste, including landfilling, which exposes the environment to a range of chemical hazards. Most importantly, the degradation of SPs can lead to the release of toxic trace elements, making them emerging contaminants. Questions concerning the long-term stability of SPs, their degradation potential in soil systems, and the role of soil properties in the release rate of pollutants all remain unanswered. This project uses model-based methods to assess the environmental impact of SPs, i.e. when they are landfilled – enter soils. For the first time, combined/novel isotope systems of Ag, Sb and Cu are proposed to be used as proxies to track individual post-depositional processes of major contaminants derived from SPs. These data are clearly needed to better understand the fate and/or to quantify potential hazards associated with SPs e-waste.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
OECD FORD - main branch
10511 - Environmental sciences (social aspects to be 5.7)
OECD FORD - secondary branch
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OECD FORD - another secondary branch
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CEP - equivalent branches <br>(according to the <a href="http://www.vyzkum.cz/storage/att/E6EF7938F0E854BAE520AC119FB22E8D/Prevodnik_oboru_Frascati.pdf">converter</a>)
DI - Pollution and air control<br>DJ - Pollution and water control<br>DK - Contamination and decontamination of soil including pesticides<br>DL - Nuclear waste, radioactive pollution and control<br>DM - Solid waste and its control, recycling<br>DO - Protection of landscape
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2026
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2028
Project status
Z - Beginning multi-year project
Latest support payment
—
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP26-GA0-GA-R
Data delivery date
May 6, 2026
Finance
Total approved costs
10,827 thou. CZK
Public financial support
10,827 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK