In March 2026, six departments, including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, issued the “Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Comprehensive Utilization of Photovoltaic Modules,” clarifying development goals for 2027 and 2030. The opinions proposed accelerating breakthroughs in key technologies such as surface structure disassembly, efficient separation of laminated components, and component extraction to promote the efficient purification of valuable components in photovoltaic modules. Its appendix, “Key Research and Development Directions for High-Efficiency Separation Processes,” listed specific research and development directions for physical methods, chemical methods, combined processes, and novel separation processes.
In early 2026, Anhui Province launched the key project “Research and Application Demonstration of Full Component Recycling and Resource Utilization of Retired Photovoltaic Modules.” This project aims to solve the challenges of large-scale recycling and resource utilization of retired photovoltaic modules through a collaborative innovation model of “university research + enterprise transformation,” focusing on tackling core technologies such as efficient dissociation and resource utilization of recycled materials, and constructing a green closed loop for the photovoltaic industry.
In terms of academic research, a review article published in early 2026 systematically summarized the research progress in the recycling and processing of waste crystalline silicon photovoltaic modules both domestically and internationally. It discussed the characteristics of mainstream technologies such as physical separation, thermal treatment, and chemical solvent methods, and emphasized the importance of developing a comprehensive recycling technology roadmap for achieving resource-based recycling of modules and sustainable industrial development.
Regarding research objectives, since the 15th Five-Year Plan period, the focus of my country’s photovoltaic module recycling industry has shifted from “large-scale dismantling” to a new stage of “high-value dismantling,” aiming to achieve a balance between high-value material recycling and economic benefits. In October 2025, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued the “Notice on Organizing the 2025 Major Environmental Protection Technology and Equipment Innovation Task Challenge,” which set specific quantitative indicators for photovoltaic module recycling technology and equipment, including laminate separation time, energy consumption, and material recovery rate.
In terms of industrialization technology demonstration, the “High-Efficiency Integrated Process Technology and Domestic Equipment for Recycling Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic Modules” developed by State Power Investment Corporation was selected into the fourth batch of major technological equipment for the energy sector by the National Energy Administration in December 2024. In 2026, the relevant technology entered the demonstration application stage, promoting the industrialization of photovoltaic module recycling.
