Advancing circular economy of silicon Photovoltaics: Current status and challenges of PV module reuse

Silicon photovoltaic (Si-PV) modules, known for their robustness with operational lifespans of over 30 years, are increasingly being decommissioned prematurely due to various technical and economic factors, posing challenges for sustainable end-of-life (EoL) management. This study examines current EoL practices, with a focus on the trends, practices, innovations and challenges of reuse strategies including repair and refurbishment within the circular economy context. It identifies and addresses the existing challenges, such as the lack of standardized testing protocols and reusability criteria, which result in globally inconsistent reuse practices. Current testing efforts primarily assess electrical performance but often overlook critical safety evaluations, such as wet leakage tests, which are essential for long-term reliability. Establishing standardized certification and warranty schemes are crucial to enhance consumer confidence. Despite these challenges, a small but active market for reused PV modules exists in Europe, North America, and Australia, engaging in activities such as collection, testing, refurbishment, and resale. Ongoing research and development efforts aim to standardize testing protocols, create cost-effective in-field testing solutions, innovate repair technologies, and develop regulatory frameworks for circular economy models. • Premature decommissioning of PV modules is increasing, driven by economic, policy, and technical factors. • Reusing functional PV modules before recycling enables a more sustainable EoL management approach. • Lack of standardised testing and certification limits widespread market adoption of reused PV modules. • PV module reuse provides economic and environmental benefits, but finding viable secondary markets remains challenging. • Regulatory frameworks and business models for PV reuse are emerging but require further development.