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The Solar Waste Challenge: Estimating and Managing End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels in Italy

Author

Listed:
  • Soroush Khakpour

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Le Quyen Luu

    (Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Bld. 9, 90128 Palermo, Italy
    Institute of Science and Technology for Energy and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, A30 Building, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay District, Hanoi 10072, Vietnam)

  • Francesco Nocera

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Alberta Latteri

    (Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture (DICAR), University of Catania, via Santa Sofia 64, 95123 Catania, Italy)

  • Maurizio Cellura

    (Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze Bld. 9, 90128 Palermo, Italy
    Center for Sustainability and Ecological Transition, University of Palermo, Complesso Monumentale dello Steri, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy)

Abstract

Italy ranks among the leading countries in photovoltaic (PV) adoption, having installed 6.80 GW of new PV capacity, bringing the total installed capacity to 37.09 GW in 2024. However, this widespread deployment also leads to a substantial amount of PV waste as systems reach the end of their lifespan. This study aims to estimate the volume of PV waste expected to be generated in Italy due to the decommissioning of end-of-life (EoL) PV panels and to explore landfill and recovery scenarios that could offer the most sustainable management strategies. The findings indicate that 4520 kilotonnes of PV waste will be produced in Italy between 2030 and 2050. Of this, a significant share consists of glass (2704.9 kilotonnes) and aluminum (762.1 kilotonnes). Additionally, Italy will produce 174.6 kt of landfill waste in 2036. In 2049 and 2050, the total composition recovery is predicted to reach 571 kt and 604.7 kt, respectively. To summarize, the main contributions of this work include (1) projections of the EoL of crystalline silicon PV waste by material quantity for 2050, (2) the economic value share of PV module materials based on waste estimates and recovery, and (3) the estimation of the EoL solar compositions generated by 2050.

Suggested Citation

  • Soroush Khakpour & Le Quyen Luu & Francesco Nocera & Alberta Latteri & Maurizio Cellura, 2025. "The Solar Waste Challenge: Estimating and Managing End-of-Life Photovoltaic Panels in Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:9:p:2219-:d:1643803
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Domínguez, Adriana & Geyer, Roland, 2019. "Photovoltaic waste assessment of major photovoltaic installations in the United States of America," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 1188-1200.
    2. Mladen Bošnjaković & Mato Galović & Jasmin Kuprešak & Tomislav Bošnjaković, 2023. "The End of Life of PV Systems: Is Europe Ready for It?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-22, November.
    3. Eleonora Riva Sanseverino & Le Quyen Luu, 2022. "Critical Raw Materials and Supply Chain Disruption in the Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-5, August.
    4. Domínguez, Adriana & Geyer, Roland, 2017. "Photovoltaic waste assessment in Mexico," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 127(C), pages 29-41.
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    1. Le Quyen Luu & Thanh Quang Nguyen & Soroush Khakpour & Maurizio Cellura & Francesco Nocera & Nam Hoai Nguyen & Ngoc Han Bui, 2025. "Material Demand and Contributions of Solar PV End-of-Life Management to the Circular Economy: The Case of Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-25, July.

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