Solar Panel Recycling from Circular Economy Viewpoint: A Review

Solar energy has emerged as a prominent contender in this arena, attracting significant attention across the globe. Governments worldwide have undertaken extensive efforts to encourage the adoption of renewable energy, increasing the usage of solar panels. Despite its benefits, the deployment of photovoltaic (PV) modules generates significant waste, thereby posing a major environmental challenge. This study explores several recycling techniques, including physical, thermal, and chemical methods, that could be employed to manage solar panel waste. An in-depth analysis of separation techniques presently employed and underdevelopment was studied and compared to determine the physical treatment necessary for the separation of glass and aluminium. Extraction of rare earth metals cadmium, copper and tellurium requires chemical treatments using organic and inorganic solvents along with thermal treatment at 500–600°C to remove the EVA polymer. Recovery of silicon wafers and rare metals through various metal extraction processes is further examined. Europe was concluded as a frontrunner in solar waste management policies after analysis of the governmental policies of developed and developing nations of the world. The circular economy model developed portrayed a systematic approach for the removal of different components of a solar panel and reintegration into the manufacturing process. The implementation of a robust circular economy for renewable energy systems is conditional upon the optimization of resource recovery while minimizing energy consumption and this serves as the governing framework of this review.