Applications of Solar Panel Waste in Pavement Construction—An Overview

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The paper is a review paper but the material to review is lacking. As the authors noted, very few works have been done on the topic (except waste glass usage)-which can be clearly seen in the very brief content in Silicon recycling, Al recycling, polymer recycling (which is likely to be incinerated- not sure how it will be recycled) sections of the paper. 
on the other hand, the paper reviews waste glass usage quite thoroughly but similar content  (review papers on waste glass in pavement) in abundant in recent publications. 
Therefore, it is my observation that the paper does not significantly contribute to the existing literature. However, it provides interesting insight of potential research opportunity to create new knowledge on the same topic.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for your time and comments to improve the quality of the submitted manuscript. 

The attached file and the revised mansucript provide a detailed description of the changes submitted.

 

Kind Regards,

Authors 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 2 Report

1.Discussion about fundamental aspects line thermal effects, mass concreting and addition of other materials(apart from solar panel waste, deletion of some materials from solar panel waste are required to be added.

2. Cost factor in terms of material processing so that it can be used in pavement construction to be included.

3. The authors have explained the mechanism behind the results observed in the literature, but the reasoning provided in Line 381 - 382 (Case 1) and in Line 530-531 contradicts each other. Provide clarity for the same.

4. Numerous instances of spelling and typing errors are present. It is advised to conduct a thorough spelling check before submission. 

5. The authors have pointed out the "irregularity" in aggregate shape, to what extent is this irregularity in terms of angularity number. 

6. Line 405 : It is "pores" not "porosity". 

7. Durability aspects are being discussed qualitatively but it is recommended to provide the decrease / increase in properties quantitatively. 

8. Authors' interpretations are present which is appreciated. 

9. Section 6 : Asphalt is a binder and not a mixture. 

10. Section 6: Asphalt mixtures are not necessarily made of single sized aggregates, hence revise the statement.

11. The stability of asphalt mixtures are found. Information regarding the mix design adopted such as Marshall mix design / Superpave mix design or any other must be specified. 

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for your time and comments to improve the quality of the submitted manuscript. 

The attached file and the revised mansucript provide a detailed description of the changes submitted.

 

Kind Regards,

Authors 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Reviewer 3 Report

Dear authors

With my appreciation  to the hard work regarding of present this manuscript under review , but need to minor check as the following:

1. For references adopted, I confirmed here some of missing or need to replace some references, can you review and take an action according to lines(164,165,182,190,197,223,246,262,295,391,442,466,503,525,639).

2. I suggest to complete some missing references in Table (2).

3. In addition to Fig.(7) which explain the effect of glass replacement on stability, you can boost this figure with other figures or tables for more confidence and to be clear related to other properties like stiffness modulus or crack resistance.    

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for your time and comments to improve the quality of the submitted manuscript. 

The attached file and the revised mansucript provide a detailed description of the changes submitted.

 

Kind Regards,

Authors 

Reviewer 4 Report

An extensive analysis covering application of solar panel waste in pavement construction is presented. Paper is very well structured, clear in language 

1. Is the asphalt mixture used in Figures 4 and 5 the result of using slaked lime (1 to 2%)?

 

2. In the literature referenced in this paper (Y. 2016 Effect of crushed glass to asphalt mix), it is stated that up to 30% of crushed glass can be used as aggregate.

In this paper, it is stated that 20~25% can be used, but how much is the maximum amount? It needs to be cleaned up.

 

3. According to Figure 4, the tendency of the optimal asphalt content according to the amount of glass used was different.

Additional descriptions are needed in the text to determine whether this is due to the type of glass or to other factors.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for your time and comments to improve the quality of the submitted manuscript. 

The attached file and the revised mansucript provide a detailed description of the changes submitted.

 

Kind Regards,

Authors 

Author Response File: Author Response.docx

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

My original concerns related to lack of reference regarding solar panel waste remains, that is-primarily reuse of glass is focused while other materials are lacking. The authors should pursue and discuss in further detail the outcomes of Section 4.5 and 4.6, which is may provide much needed balanced discussion on major elements recovered from solar panel waste. 

Author Response

Thank you for this comment. 

The authors have taken substantial efforts to revise the current manuscript and improve the manuscript to consider the valuable comment made by the reviewer. 

Round 3

Reviewer 1 Report

Minor works related to tables and figures are necessary.