The Landscape of PV Recycling: Challenges to Make PV an Example of Circular Economy

The recycling of PV modules has emerged as a topic of enormous relevance, driven by the urgent need to manage the decommissioning of millions of modules expected over the coming decades. The development of universal, effective, scalable, and environmentally responsible recycling pathways (either up- or down-cycling) for PV modules requires a holistic understanding of technological diversity, process engineering, regulatory support, and economic models. This paper offers a set of reflections on key questions that help outline the landscape of photovoltaic recycling. By identifying core issues and emerging trends, it aims to contribute to a clearer understanding of the opportunities and obstacles that lie ahead in the transition toward a circular solar economy.