Circular PV: from Recycling and Materials Recovery

Photovoltaic recycling and materials recovery is rapidly evolving in response to the exponential deployment of solar technologies across the globe. As solar energy continues its ascent as a core pillar of the global energy transition, a significant challenge looms: managing the mounting volume of end-of-life PV modules. Recent studies highlight that conventional waste handling methods are inadequate for capturing the full environmental and economic value embedded in decommissioned solar panels, which contain critical raw materials like silicon, silver, aluminum, and rare earth elements. Pioneering research has demonstrated promising advances in mechanical, chemical, and thermal recycling processes, yet the industry is still grappling with technical, regulatory, and economic bottlenecks that impede large-scale implementation. Notably, new PV architectures—including perovskite and tandem technologies—introduce unique recycling challenges that are not fully addressed by existing protocols. The need remains for integrated approaches that not only recover high-purity materials but also minimize environmental impact and support a genuine circular economy within the solar sector.This Research Topic aims to accelerate the development and adoption of closed-loop solutions to the growing issue of photovoltaic waste. Central goals include identifying innovative technologies and strategies to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of recycling processes, with special attention given to the recovery and purification of critical raw materials. The Topic also seeks to explore regulatory, economic, and design-for-recycling interventions necessary to future-proof solar value chains.The scope of this Research Topic is concentrated on advanced recycling, resource recovery, and second-life strategies for photovoltaic systems, specifically targeting the management of end-of-life solar panels and critical material extraction. Articles should address technical innovations, environmental implications, and systemic barriers to circularity. To gather further insights in this area, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes: • Cutting-edge technologies and processes for PV module recycling • Extraction, separation, and purification of silicon, silver, and other valuable materials • Recovery and management of critical and rare raw materials from PV waste • Evaluation of mechanical, chemical, and thermal recycling pathways • Design-for-recycling and eco-design principles for the next generation of solar panels • Life cycle assessment and environmental impact analysis of recycling methods • Economic viability and policy required for circular PV market transformation • Models for reuse, refurbishment, and second-life deployment of photovoltaic components • Solutions and regulatory approaches for novel PV architectures (thin-film, perovskite, tandem) • Cross-sectoral strategies and circular economy frameworks for PV waste valorisation Topic editors: Constantinos S. Psomopoulos, Kyriaki Kiskira Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/79371/circular-pv-from-recycling-and-materials-recovery