Maybe not in the short term... However, IBM said that three million silicon wafer discarded from computers could generate around 13.5 MW of power, on top of important savings for the company.
This is, however, just the beginning. If the process invented by IBM is sold to other firms (and IBM is indeed expected to do so), then the amount could be greater and significant at global level.
The new IBM process is an improved recycling method that leaves less silicon waste compared to other recycling methods (which typically use chemicals).
At the moment silicon shortages are threatening the growth of the solar industry, despite solid figures in the last years. If chip recycling methods become available at good prices and efficiencies , then this would definitely make a difference in such a tight market where small improvements mean great gains in competitiveness. We will probably see new technologies being developed if the price of silicon increases due to the current growth in demand from the solar industry.
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