Recycling of Silicon-Based Photovoltaic Panels: Benefits, Challenges and Future Directions

By 2050, the global capacity of photovoltaic (PV) systems is projected to reach approximately 4500 GW, which will lead to an estimated 60–78 million tons of PV waste. This increase presents significant environmental challenges due to hazardous elements like lead and tin in PV modules, necessitating sustainable waste management solutions. This study examines the current technological, economic, and regulatory barriers to recycling c-Si PV modules. Findings indicate that recycling can diminish terrestrial ecotoxicity by 74% and lower greenhouse gas emissions by 24% across the life cycle of PV modules, compared to traditional disposal. Additionally, recycled materials could satisfy over 20% of the PV industry’s demand for aluminium, copper, glass, and silicon and nearly 70% for silver between 2040 and 2050. To drive recycling forward, the study proposes a circular economy model for PV waste management, advocating for policy harmonization, industry-led recycling incentives, and technological innovations that improve material recycling and recovery.