Presentation Details
| Trends in PV Module Recycling in IEA PVPS Task12 Countries: Overview and Update Keiichi Komoto. University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan |
Abstract
PV technology is one of the most environmentally friendly technologies among all energy generation technologies, particularly when evaluated from a life cycle viewpoint, including end-of-life (EOL) management. Looking at the world PV market, PV deployment has been accelerating at a higher rate than expected in the early 2010s, and further acceleration is anticipated. This means that EOL PV could increase more quickly in the coming decades. In terms of the status of PV recycling, a few years ago (2020/2021), although the EU has adopted the WEEE Directive since the 2010s, in other parts of the world, PV EOL is typically handled under each country’s legislative and regulatory framework for general waste treatment and disposal, without specific consideration of PV. However, policy approaches for accelerating PV EOL management have been developed or are in the process of being developed. In South Korea, a PV EPR regulation has been enforced starting in 2023, and relevant political deliberations are being implemented in Japan, Australia, and the United States. More recently, in Japan, a proposed legislation on promoting recycling of photovoltaic waste was approved in a Cabinet meeting on 3 April 2026. It is expected that the legislation would be enforced in 2027 or 2028. PV module recycling could be a promising approach to provide a part of material resources for PV module production. Then, recycled materials from PV module waste could play a significant role in material supply for PV module production. It is expected that policy and actions for recycling would be accelerated from a viewpoint of material circularity, in addition to waste management.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.
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