Solar energy has been recognized as one of the best candidates to lead the energy transition. Besides its massive deployment, the photovoltaic industry has an important role to play by opening prospects to sustainable and circular models. In this context, end-of-life management is one of the topics that should be carefully considered. This lecture will introduce photovoltaic waste management, including recycling approaches and development. From a global overview, the session will cover policy, regulations, and technological development, as well as trends and challenges for the next decades.
The deployment of solar photovoltaics (PV) is rapidly accelerating as part, and at the forefront, of a diverse portfolio of low-carbon energy technologies that contribute to energy system decarbonization. As with any technology, it is important to consider environmental life-cycle factors at every stage, including land use, water consumption, air emissions, and waste. Given PV’s material-centric nature, there is growing interest in extending PV lifetimes and recovering materials from PV systems when they reach the end of their operational life. Circular economies are gaining prominence due to societal goals of reducing raw material demand, addressing supply chain challenges, and minimizing environmental impacts. This lecture will highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with PV recycling and how it contributes to a robust circular model, enabling the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The lecture will delve into two critical sustainability concepts to introduce PV waste management and recycling: life cycle approach and circular economy principles. We will discuss waste management during PV system decommissioning and repowering, presenting recycling as a viable option. The lecture will cover policy, regulations, and standards landscape related to promoting PV recycling. Additionally, we’ll discuss PV recycling technologies, from current approaches (which may involve material downcycling) to emerging innovations that separate materials with high quality and yield. Topics include trends and challenges around collection and logistics, recycling performance, secondary raw material markets, and policy standardization. By the end of the lecture, participants will gain insights into sustainable PV practices and the role of recycling in the energy transition.
The deployment of solar photovoltaics (PV) is rapidly accelerating as part, and at the forefront, of a diverse portfolio of low-carbon energy technologies that contribute to energy system decarbonization. As with any technology, it is important to consider environmental life-cycle factors at every stage, including land use, water consumption, air emissions, and waste. Given PV’s material-centric nature, there is growing interest in extending PV lifetimes and recovering materials from PV systems when they reach the end of their operational life. Circular economies are gaining prominence due to societal goals of reducing raw material demand, addressing supply chain challenges, and minimizing environmental impacts. This lecture will highlight the challenges and opportunities associated with PV recycling and how it contributes to a robust circular model, enabling the transition to cleaner energy sources.
The lecture will delve into two critical sustainability concepts to introduce PV waste management and recycling: life cycle approach and circular economy principles. We will discuss waste management during PV system decommissioning and repowering, presenting recycling as a viable option. The lecture will cover policy, regulations, and standards landscape related to promoting PV recycling. Additionally, we’ll discuss PV recycling technologies, from current approaches (which may involve material downcycling) to emerging innovations that separate materials with high quality and yield. Topics include trends and challenges around collection and logistics, recycling performance, secondary raw material markets, and policy standardization. By the end of the lecture, participants will gain insights into sustainable PV practices and the role of recycling in the energy transition.
