Photovoltaics in Circular Economy: Future PV Waste Projections for Different Scenarios

Photovoltaic (PV) power generation is one of the pillars of the plans to decarbonise the EU's power supply. Decarbonization requires aggressive photovoltaic deployment, and faster deployment rates of PV systems will be the most material intensive in the future. With a lifetime range of 25–30 years, the PV modules will turn into large masses of waste eventually at the end of their lifetime. Therefore, the global exponential increase in PV installations and the resultant levels of waste PV modules is an increasing concern. In this respect, this paper presents some preliminary forecasts on the evolution of PV waste by 2030 and 2050, at World and European levels, within two different scenarios, Planned and Transforming energy scenarios. The estimations have been made for two different hypotheses based on the possible degradation, failure and damages rates of PV modules. Moreover, the advantages of a circular economy approach for PV waste are illustrated, also highlighting the main drivers and barriers for its implementation. Recent waste regulatory approach in EU regarding PV waste is also discussed.