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Recycling of solar PV panels- product stewardship and regulatory approaches

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  • Majewski, Peter
  • Al-shammari, Weam
  • Dudley, Michael
  • Jit, Joytishna
  • Lee, Sang-Heon
  • Myoung-Kug, Kim
  • Sung-Jim, Kim

Abstract

The rise in the utilization of solar energy for energy generation has grown exponentially throughout the past decade. By the end of 2019, the global total installed solar capacity is close to 600 GW (Gigawatts). This share is only expected to rise.

Suggested Citation

  • Majewski, Peter & Al-shammari, Weam & Dudley, Michael & Jit, Joytishna & Lee, Sang-Heon & Myoung-Kug, Kim & Sung-Jim, Kim, 2021. "Recycling of solar PV panels- product stewardship and regulatory approaches," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:149:y:2021:i:c:s0301421520307734
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2020.112062
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roger Nyffenegger & Brian Baldassarre & Nancy Bocken & Stefan N. Groesser, 2026. "Circular Economy Policies and Business Models in the EU Renewable Energy Sector: The Case of Solar Photovoltaic Industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 35(1), pages 593-614, January.
    2. Souza, Vanessa & Rodrigues Figueiredo, Adriano Marcos & Santos Bortolocci Espejo, Márcia Maria dos, 2024. "Challenges and strategies for managing end-of-life photovoltaic equipment in Brazil: Learning from international experience," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    3. Pradeep Padhamnath, 2025. "Recent Progress in the Recovery and Recycling of Polymers from End-of-Life Silicon PV Modules," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-34, May.
    4. Somin Park & Younghyun Cho & Seulki Kim & Koo Lee & Junsin Yi, 2022. "Effect of Cell Electrical Mismatch on Output of Crystalline Photovoltaic Modules," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-21, October.
    5. Hui Fang Yu & Md. Hasanuzzaman & Nasrudin Abd Rahim & Norridah Amin & Noriah Nor Adzman, 2022. "Global Challenges and Prospects of Photovoltaic Materials Disposal and Recycling: A Comprehensive Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-41, July.
    6. Amjad Ali & Md Tasbirul Islam & Shafiqur Rehman & Sikandar Abdul Qadir & Muhammad Shahid & Muhammad Waseem Khan & Md. Hasan Zahir & Asif Islam & Muhammad Khalid, 2024. "Solar Photovoltaic Module End-of-Life Waste Management Regulations: International Practices and Implications for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-37, August.
    7. Dias, Pablo R. & Schmidt, Lucas & Chang, Nathan L. & Monteiro Lunardi, Marina & Deng, Rong & Trigger, Blair & Bonan Gomes, Lucas & Egan, Renate & Veit, Hugo, 2022. "High yield, low cost, environmentally friendly process to recycle silicon solar panels: Technical, economic and environmental feasibility assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    8. Ottonelli, Janaina & Lazaro, Lira Luz Benites & Andrade, José Célio Silveira & Abram, Simone, 2023. "Do solar photovoltaic clean development mechanism projects contribute to sustainable development in Latin America? Prospects for the Paris Agreement," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    9. Preeti Nain & Arun Kumar, 2023. "Understanding manufacturers’ and consumers’ perspectives towards end-of-life solar photovoltaic waste management and recycling," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 2264-2284, March.
    10. Maciej Chrzanowski & Piotr Zawada, 2023. "Fraction Separation Potential in the Recycling Process of Photovoltaic Panels at the Installation Site—A Conceptual Framework from an Economic and Ecological Safety Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-10, February.
    11. Dimitris Drikakis & Talib Dbouk, 2022. "The Role of Computational Science in Wind and Solar Energy: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-20, December.
    12. Aşkın, Asmin & Kılkış, Şiir & Akınoğlu, Bülent Gültekin, 2023. "Recycling photovoltaic modules within a circular economy approach and a snapshot for Türkiye," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 583-596.
    13. Spellmeier, Júlia Possebon & Rosa, Carmen Brum & Rigo, Paula Donaduzzi & Mello, Mario Fernando & Hoss, Marcelo, 2025. "Design of a business model for competitive end-of-life performance of photovoltaic systems in Brazil," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    14. Megan Belongeay & Gabriela Shirkey & Marina Monteiro Lunardi & Gonzalo Rodriguez-Garcia & Parikhit Sinha & Richard Corkish & Rodney A. Stewart & Annick Anctil & Jiquan Chen & Ilke Celik, 2023. "Photovoltaic Systems through the Lens of Material-Energy-Water Nexus," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-12, March.
    15. Zhou, Jianli & Xu, Zihan & He, Juan & Liu, Dandan & Wang, Yaqi & Yang, Cheng & Zhong, Zhiming & Wu, Yunna, 2025. "Spatiotemporal evolution of decommissioned photovoltaic distribution and integrated energy-economic-environmental-social sustainable benefit assessment in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 384(C).
    16. Wang, Chen & Feng, Kuishuang & Liu, Xi & Wang, Peng & Chen, Wei-Qiang & Li, Jiashuo, 2022. "Looming challenge of photovoltaic waste under China’s solar ambition: A spatial–temporal assessment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    17. Yuan Li & Paul P. J. Gaffney & Fang Zhao & Xiangbo Xu & Mingbo Zhang, 2024. "Application of Life Cycle Assessment to Policy Environmental Impact Assessment—A Clean Energy Action Plan Case Study in Qinghai Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-21, December.
    18. Jain, Suresh & Sharma, Tanya & Gupta, Anil Kumar, 2022. "End-of-life management of solar PV waste in India: Situation analysis and proposed policy framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    19. Pin-Han Chen & Wei-Sheng Chen & Cheng-Han Lee & Jun-Yi Wu, 2023. "Comprehensive Review of Crystalline Silicon Solar Panel Recycling: From Historical Context to Advanced Techniques," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-16, December.
    20. Hengky Salim & Rodney Anthony Stewart & Oz Sahin & Birthe Sagstad & Michael Dudley, 2021. "R3SOLVE: A Serious Game to Support End-of-Life Rooftop Solar Panel Waste Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.
    21. Samet Ozturk, 2025. "Photovoltaic Waste Assessment and Recovery Potential: A Case Study in Chile," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(19), pages 1-17, September.

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