Circular economy and photovoltaic sustainability: towards a zero-waste future

The global energy transition is running at breakneck pace and photovoltaic is its undisputed protagonist. In the last ten years, Italy has seen an explosion of new installations, both in residential and industrial settings, driven by the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve energy independence. However, this massive growth brings with it a fundamental question that we can no longer ignore: how sustainable is the entire life cycle of a solar panel really?

Talk about sustainability of photovoltaic Today does not only mean producing clean energy, but also ensuring that the hardware needed to generate it does not become tomorrow's environmental problem. With the approach of the end of the life cycle of the first large plants installed in the early 2000s, the topic of the circular economy applied to the solar sector has become an absolute priority. We must look beyond the simple operation of the panel and analyze the entire process: from the extraction of raw materials in mining sites to the disposal and recovery processes in the foundry.

In this article, we will explore how the industry is facing the challenge of photovoltaic waste, the strategic importance of recycling and how new forms of energy participation, such as shared solar parks, can represent the most circular and efficient solution for the future.

Critical raw materials: the impact of extraction and strategic dependence

The production of a photovoltaic module requires a complex combination of common materials and rare metals. Although glass and aluminum make up most of the weight of a panel, they are the so-called critical raw materials to determine the efficiency of the energy conversion.

What are the rare materials in photovoltaic

The European Union has identified several essential elements for solar technology that present high supply risks and a significant environmental impact during extraction:

• Silver: essential for electrical contacts on silicon cells. Despite attempts to reduce its use, photovoltaic energy still absorbs a significant share of the world's production of this metal.
• Indio and Gallio: used mainly in thin-film technologies (CIGS), are rare and often obtained as by-products of the extraction of other metals, making their availability very strict.
• Tellurium: essential for cadmium telluride (CdTe) panels, presents similar challenges in terms of scarcity and potential toxicity if not properly managed.

The environmental and social impact of the 'upstream phase'

The extraction of these minerals often takes place in geographical contexts where environmental regulations are less stringent. The process requires enormous amounts of water and generates mineral residues that can pollute local aquifers. In addition, there is a question of energy security: Europe's dependence on non-EU countries for these supplies makes the photovoltaic supply chain vulnerable to geopolitical tensions and price fluctuations.

The response of the circular economy to this problem is twofold: on the one hand, scientific research aims to reduce the quantities of rare metals for every watt produced (dematerialization), on the other hand, it aims to create an “urban mine” through the systematic recycling of discarded modules.

Technologies and processes for the recycling of photovoltaic panels

Managing the end of life of modules is not only a regulatory obligation, but an industrial opportunity. A photovoltaic panel consists of about 80% glass, 10% aluminum, 5% polymers and the rest silicon and conductive metals. The main technical problem lies in the fact that these materials are 'sandwiched' and sealed with resins (such as EVA) that make the separation complex.

The three ways of recycling: mechanical, thermal and chemical

To recover value from photovoltaic waste (classified in Italy as WEEE, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), there are today three main approaches:

1. Mechanical Recycling: is the most common and least expensive method. The panels are stripped of the aluminum frame and cables, then crushed. Through screening and magnetic separation processes, aluminum and raw glass are recovered. The limit is purity: the glass obtained is often of low quality, usable only for thermal insulation or building materials, and precious metals remain trapped in dust.
2. Thermal Recycling (Pyrolysis): This process uses heat to burn or decompose the plastics and resins that hold the components together. Once the polymer layer has been removed, the silicon cells and glass can be separated intact. Although it requires more energy, it makes it possible to obtain materials with a much higher degree of purity.
3. Chemical Recycling: represents the technological frontier. Through specific solvents and acid baths, it is possible to dissolve and recover solar-grade silver, indium and silicon individually. It is the process most consistent with the circular economy because it allows materials to be reinserted directly into the production of new panels, but operating costs are still high for mass distribution.

The challenge of costs and logistics in 2026

Despite technical advances, recycling has to deal with economies of scale. Transporting bulky, heavy panels from installation sites to recovery centers has an environmental and economic cost. In 2026, the challenge is to create a network of proximity plants that reduce the impact of transport and make the recovery of materials more convenient than the extraction of virgin matter.

Second Life and the reuse of components: beyond recycling

Even before arriving at destructive recycling, the circular economy suggests exploring the path of Reused And of the Second life. A solar panel that after 20 years has areduced efficiency to 80% it's not a waste: it's still a fully functioning electric generator.

The “Second Life” photovoltaic market

Many large industrial plants carry out the so-called revamping, that is, they replace old modules with new, much more powerful models to maximize production on the same terrain. The removed modules can be tested, certified and resold for less demanding applications. These “guaranteed used” panels find space in:

• Humanitarian projects in developing countries for rural electrification.
• Small storage systems for gardening or outdoor lighting.
• Power supply of environmental monitoring systems in remote areas.

Recovery of accessory components

Not only the modules, but also the inverters and mounting structures can be regenerated. The aluminum in the frames and structures is infinitely recyclable with an energy consumption equal to only 5% of that needed for primary aluminum. This makes the recovery of structural components one of the pillars of the sector's economic profitability.

Towards a circular design: the photovoltaic of the future

The real revolution of the circular economy in photovoltaics will not only take place in recycling centers, but on the designers' tables. The concept of Design for Recycling (D4R) The way in which panels are built is changing.

The new generations of modules are designed to be easily disassembled. New thermoplastic adhesives are being tested that melt at specific temperatures, allowing a clear separation of materials without damaging them. In addition, the industry is progressively reducing the use of lead and other hazardous substances to make waste less toxic and easier to manage.

Extended producer responsibility

European regulations now require manufacturers to take charge of the end-of-life management of products placed on the market. This mechanism ensures that there are funds dedicated to disposal already at the time of purchase, preventing recycling costs from falling on the community or the environment.

Shared solar parks: the most sustainable choice in the immediate future

As the industry works to make individual panels more recyclable, a spontaneous question arises for the consumer: what is the most efficient way to support photovoltaic while minimizing its environmental impact? The answer lies in overcoming the “one roof, one plant” model of individual ownership.

Why the shared model is inherently circular

Shared solar parks, such as those promoted by GridShare, represent the practical application of circular economy principles at the system level. Instead of having thousands of small domestic plants, each with their own logistical inefficiencies and maintenance difficulties, the focus is on large centralized and professionally managed plants.

The advantages in terms of sustainability are obvious:

• Optimization of resources: Industrial plants use less material per kWh produced than small domestic systems, thanks to better exposure and optimized design.
• Centralized maintenance: A professionally managed plant lasts longer. Constant maintenance prevents failures and extends the operational life of the modules, delaying the moment when they become waste.
• Simplified end-of-life management: When a shared solar park reaches the end of its life, thousands of panels are disposed of in a massive and coordinated manner. This makes it possible to reduce the logistics costs of recycling and ensures that every single gram of material is recovered through certified industrial channels.

Choosing to participate in a shared solar farm means delegating technical complexity to experts who operate according to the highest sustainability standards. You don't have to worry about where the materials come from or how you'll dispose of the panels thirty years from now: GridShare does it for you, ensuring that the energy you use is green not only when it is produced, but along its entire path.

Participating in the production of solar energy through shares of shared plants is the winning move for those looking for concrete savings in their bill without compromising with the environment. It is a model that rewards collective efficiency over individual waste, transforming the energy transition into a truly circular and inclusive process.