Repurposing of ATX computer power supplies for PV applications in developing countries

Abstract

To date, the recycling process for most Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) simply involves recovering materials using pyrometallurgy and similar techniques due to the difficultly of removal of their constituent components. Thus most components are incinerated with all other non-recyclable materials. However, for specific types of WEEE an alternative approach has evolved namely the reuse or repurposing of particular parts of the equipment suitable for second life. This paper presents a novel photovoltaic system suitable for disparate population centers in the developing world utilising the ubiquitous ATX computer power supply.