GLOBAL PATHWAYS FOR SOLAR PANEL RECYCLING: REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS AND INDUSTRY INNOVATIONS

The rapid growth of solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is expected to generate a surge of end-of-life (EoL) panel waste – on the order of 60–78 million tons globally by 2050. Managing this waste is a critical environmental and economic challenge. This article serves as a literature review on recycling silicon-based solar panels, covering mechanical, chemical, and thermal methods, as well as policy frameworks. Policy-wise, the European Union’s extended producer responsibility (EPR) requirements under the WEEE Directive have driven the highest recycling rates, while most other regions lack harmonized mandates. Technologically, a combination of mechanical preprocessing (e.g. shredding, delamination) and advanced recovery (thermal or chemical) achieves the best material recovery yields. Innovative processes – such as pyrolysis and novel molten salt etching – can recover over 95% of materials including high-value silver and silicon. However key gaps include insufficient global policy coordination, undeveloped recycling capacity in many regions, and uncertainties in the quality and reuse of recovered materials. Addressing these gaps and enabling the reuse of recycled materials in new panels will be decisive for a sustainable solar PV industry.