Analysis report on photovoltaic waste as source of valuable materials. Overview on the current material recovery approaches

End-of-life photovoltaic (EoL PV) modules are hazardous waste belonging to the category of WEEE. They contain environmentally toxic substances, poorly biodegradable materials but also valuable materials. The recovery of these last is the main goal of PV-waste treatments having the materials separation as initial stage conditioning the process. In order to facilitate the recovery and produce released fractions that are suitable for the recovery of glass, Si, Ag, Cu, Sn, Pb, and Al, the mechanical technics applied in the management of all WEEE without differentiation by type, are the most commonly used. However, a new and appropriate management strategy is required to create more profitable roads leading to the industrialization of environmentally and economically sustainable processes. The exponential increase in the volume of PV-waste imposes key challenges in the more efficient management of EoL PV modules. This paper aims to expand knowledge on critical point in the PV-waste management processes and provides information on types and trends for their treatment. It aims to help to formulate diversified management strategies and plans, shedding light on the usefulness of the adoption of a hybrid approach to optimize the recovery rate and recovered materials purity level to send to recycling.