Photovoltaic Waste Generation in the Context of Sustainable Energy Transition in EU Member States

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Photovoltaic Waste Generation in the Context of Sustainable Energy Transition in EU Member States

by María Beatriz Nieto Morone 1,2,*ORCID,Félix García Rosillo 1ORCID,Miguel Ángel Muñoz-García 2ORCID andMaria del Carmen Alonso-García 1ORCID

1

Unidad de Energía Solar Fotovoltaica, Departamento de Energía, CIEMAT, Av. Complutense, 40, 28040 Madrid, Spain

2

Laboratorio de Propiedades Físicas y Técnicas Avanzadas en Agroalimentación (LPF-TAGRALIA), Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Agronómica, Alimentaria y de Biosistemas (ETSIAAB), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Av. Puerta de Hierro, 2, 28040 Madrid, Spain

*

Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.

Resources 2025, 14(3), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources14030037 (registering DOI)

Submission received: 14 January 2025 / Revised: 18 February 2025 / Accepted: 21 February 2025 / Published: 26 February 2025

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Abstract

The European Union (EU) is witnessing an expansion in solar capacity, aligning with its commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, deploying solar capacity introduces significant environmental complexities, such as managing photovoltaic waste when the modules reach their end of life. This study presents an assessment of PV waste mass generation, integrating the latest data from the revised targets of the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) of EU Member States presented in December 2023. Annual and cumulative PV waste mass is presented, analyzing the results in terms of the PV capacity deployment in each country and their recycling needs to face the treatment of the generated PV waste. According to the reviewed targets, the analysis reveals significant variations in PV waste mass generation across EU countries. The revisions show a substantial increase in the amount of waste generated in Europe. Lithuania and Ireland are anticipated to face substantial challenges, particularly under the early-loss scenario, whereas Germany, Italy, France, and Spain continue to be the countries that will generate the most PV waste mass in Europe. These findings emphasize the necessity for formulating and implementing effective waste management strategies to address the increasing generation of PV waste and mitigate its environmental impact. Furthermore, the study underscores the need to reassess projections to accommodate evolving energy policies and targets, ensuring alignment with sustainability objectives in this dynamic field.