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The End of Life of PV Systems: Is Europe Ready for It?

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  • Mladen Bošnjaković

    (Technical Department, University of Slavonski Brod, Trg Ivane Brlić Mažuranić 2, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia)

  • Mato Galović

    (Technical School, E. Kumičića 55, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia)

  • Jasmin Kuprešak

    (Technical Department, University of Slavonski Brod, Trg Ivane Brlić Mažuranić 2, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia)

  • Tomislav Bošnjaković

    (Inženjering Gradnja, d.o.o., Ulica 108. brigade ZNG 40, 35000 Slavonski Brod, Croatia)

Abstract

Like other plants, every photovoltaic (PV) power plant will one day reach the end of its service life. Calculations show that 96,000 tons of PV module waste will be generated worldwide by 2030 and 86 million tons by 2050. Such large quantities of waste can endanger the environment and people if they are not disposed of properly. This paper investigated how photovoltaic waste is currently handled, how this problem is legally regulated and to what extent reuse, recycling and disposal are represented. As recycling is the best option in terms of environmental protection and a circular economy, an overview of recycling technologies and recovery rates for the materials contained in the PV system is given. Currently, there are a small number of recycling plants for PV modules in Europe, but none in the Balkan countries. The main reason for this is the small amount of PV waste in these countries, which is far below the profitability threshold for the recycling of 19,000 t/year, and even below the reduced threshold of 9000 t/year. The analysis shows that only seven EU member states will exceed this threshold by 2040, and more than half of the EU member states will not even reach this threshold by 2050. For this reason, PV modules (after dismantling the aluminum frame and cables) are mostly disposed of in landfills in these countries. This is an indication that this problem should be seriously addressed in the EU. In this context, the main obstacles to the reuse and recycling of PV modules are listed, together with guidelines for their removal.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16466-:d:1291894
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wang, Xintong & Xue, Jingguo & Hou, Xueliang, 2023. "Barriers analysis to Chinese waste photovoltaic module recycling under the background of "double carbon"," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 39-54.
    2. Mladen Bošnjaković & Robert Santa & Zoran Crnac & Tomislav Bošnjaković, 2023. "Environmental Impact of PV Power Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-26, August.
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    6. 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.
    7. Magdalena Bogacka & Martyna Potempa & Bartłomiej Milewicz & Dariusz Lewandowski & Krzysztof Pikoń & Katarzyna Klejnowska & Piotr Sobik & Edyta Misztal, 2020. "PV Waste Thermal Treatment According to the Circular Economy Concept," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-13, December.
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mukwevho, Nehemiah & Mkhohlakali, Andile & Ntsasa, Napo & Sehata, James & Chimuka, Luke & Tshilongo, James & Letsoalo, Mokgehle R., 2025. "Methodological approaches for resource recovery from end-of-life panels of different generations of photovoltaic technologies – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    3. 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.

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