• • China's PV installed capacity reached 277.57 GW in 2024 (28.5% YoY growth), with projected retired PV volumes of 24 MW (2025), 65 MW (2030), and 2 GW (2036), underscoring an urgent need for scalable recycling infrastructure.
• • Cumulative recoverable materials by 2030 are estimated at 1.1×10^6 t glass, 5.4×10^5 t plastics, 2.6×10^5 t aluminum, 1.7×10^5 t silicon, 5×10^4 t copper, and 550 t silver, highlighting the economic and resource security value of recycling.
• • Crystalline silicon modules dominate the market (90–95%), while thin-film modules (CdTe, CIGS, a-Si) account for 5–10%, with CdTe representing 65% of thin-film market share; this composition dictates the need for tailored recovery processes.
• • Existing national standards (e.g., GB/T 39753—2021, GB/T 43752—2024) are only recommended, not mandatory, reflecting the early-stage development of PV recycling technology and the lack of mature industrial systems.