The manufacture of photovoltaic (PV) panels is evolving increasingly around the world. Used panels are a source
of environmental pollution because recycling them is difficult. In this experimental study, we propose a solution
for recycling aluminum from PV solar modules using a local furnace for melting. First, the frame is separated
from the other components of the module manually. Then experimental data is obtained using a data logger by
replicating an artisanal recycling route. This process of recycling the 1323g aluminum frame of the used solar
module made it possible to make two plates, each weighing 392g. The impurities contained in the aluminum were
of the order of 494g or 37.34% of the weight of the aluminum. We deduce that the amount of aluminum used to
make the plates is 784g and the rest of the pure aluminum is 45g. The quantity of coal used is 3953g, i.e. 2630g
more than the mass of aluminum to be melted. Based on the experimental results, the transfer of heat from the
external environment to the internal environment generates too many losses. Indeed, the heat energy produced is
not completely consumed and the temperature losses are significant. To overcome this problem we must make the
different modes of heat transfer effective by playing on the thermal insulation of the oven. Also this local system
requires the construction of an improved stove that will save fuel used for the operation, and channel the amount
of heat lost by radiation. For the production of air it is preferable to make the operation of the solar system efficient
by making a dimensioning allowing to choose in a suitable way the various components such as the solar modules,
the batteries, the regulator and the protection devices. We can agree that aluminum recycling is a profitable
business in Burkina Faso. Finally, this artisanal recycling channel proposed is capable of fully recycling a large
quantity of aluminum from several used solar modules.
Experimental study, recycling, aluminum, solar modules, local oven