Research on Recycling Guidance Policy for Wasted Photovoltaic Modules Considering Governmental Regulations

The swift advancement of the photovoltaic power production sector has generated significant recycling demands. The photovoltaic module recycling industry in China is in its nascent phase, encountering challenges such as fragmented waste module sources, inadequate technology and equipment, and economic viability issues, necessitating prompt government intervention. This study investigates the influence of government-guided policies on the recycling of waste photovoltaic modules, develops an evolutionary game model incorporating photovoltaic power plants, module recyclers, module manufacturers, and the government as the four principal recycling stakeholders, and simulates it utilizing a system dynamics method. It has been determined that:(1) In the absence of governmental guidance, the transition of wasted photovoltaic modules into formal recycling channels is challenging. (2) The sustainable advancement of the module recycling industry can be efficiently facilitated by the integration of guiding and regulatory policies, including reward and punishment policy, carbon tax policy, and deposit return policy. (3) Supervising and guiding photovoltaic power plants ensures the proper recycling of modules at the source.