Solar energy has gained prominence because of the increasing global attention received by renewable energies. This shift can be attributed to advancements and innovations in solar cell technology, which include developments of various photovoltaic materials, such as thin film and tandem solar cells, in addition to silicon-based solar cells. The latter is the most widely commercialized type of solar cell because of its exceptional durability, long-term stability, and high photoconversion efficiency; consequently, the demand for Si solar cells has been consistently increasing. PV modules are designed for an operation lifespan of 25–30 years, which has led to a gradual increase in the number of end-of-life PV modules. The appropriate management of both end-of-life and prematurely failed PV modules is critical for the recovery and separation of valuable and hazardous materials. Effective methods for end-of-life PV waste management are necessary to minimize their environmental impact and facilitate transition to a more sustainable and circular economy. This paper offers a comprehensive overview of the separation processes for silicon PV modules and summarizes the attempts to design easily recyclable modules for sustainable solar module development. Based on the studies summarized in this paper, suggestions are provided for future research.

Several countries have shown interest in the development of methods for recycling photovoltaic (PV) modules because the number of end-of-life modules is expected to increase owing to the increasing use of PV modules. Generally, physical, chemical, and thermal (incineration) methods are used for separating glass from the PV module when the end-of-life modules are recycled. In the physical method, the ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) is cut using a heated knife or wire, whereas in the chemical method, the EVA is dissolved using chemicals. Among the treatment methods, the thermal method is widely used, wherein EVA is burned at high temperatures. In this article, a structure wherein a sacrificial layer is located between the front glass and EVA is proposed. Herein, a fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) thin film was used as a sacrificial layer and was delaminated using transparent conductive oxide corrosion assisted by voltage and moisture in a thin-film solar cell, after which the front glass was easily separated from the EVA. The experiment proceeded by delaminating the FTO thin film deposited on the front glass and separating EVA from the front glass. Finally, after creating a minimodule structure, the front glass was released from the EVA.