According to the International Energy Agency, global solar energy generation is projected to grow at an annual rate of 10–15% through 2030. The questions of recycling and future replacement of PV systems are already attracting significant industry attention.
At present, less than 10% of decommissioned PV panels are fully recycled. Most end-of-life modules are either stored, sent to landfills, or awaiting dedicated recycling solutions. Aluminium frames and glass can be recovered relatively easily, but recovery rates for silicon wafers, silver, and other rare metals remain low.
The main barriers are economic and technical: recycling a panel is significantly more expensive than landfilling, and existing panels were engineered for durability rather than recyclability, making material separation complex and costly.
The first major wave of decommissioning is expected between 2030 and 2040, as capacity installed in the early 2010s reaches end of life. To avoid large-scale landfill impacts, recycling initiatives and regulatory alignment need to be developed and implemented, now.
