|
Vol.14, No.3, August 2025. ISSN: 2217-8309 eISSN: 2217-8333
TEM Journal
TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION, MANAGEMENT, INFORMATICS Association for Information Communication Technology Education and Science |
Life Cycle of Photovoltaic Plants: A review
Andrei Borisov, Gergana Vacheva, Nikolay Hinov
© 2025 Nikolay Hinov, published by UIKTEN. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License. (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
Citation Information: TEM Journal. Volume 14, Issue 3, Pages 2073-2081, ISSN 2217-8309, DOI: 10.18421/TEM143-14, August 2025.
Received: 15 August 2024. Revised: 29 April 2025.
Abstract:
This review explores the life cycle of photovoltaic (PV) plants, focusing on the environmental, economic, and technical aspects from installation to decommissioning. The study examines the various stages involved, including raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, installation, operation, maintenance, and end-of-life management of PV systems. It provides a comprehensive assessment of the energy payback time, carbon footprint, and the recyclability of key components. Additionally, the paper highlights current challenges in improving the sustainability of PV plants and offers insights into emerging technologies and practices aimed at enhancing efficiency and reducing environmental impact. This review emphasizes the importance of a holistic approach to the life cycle management of PV plants to ensure the long-term viability of solar energy as a key contributor to the green transition.
Keywords – Circular economy, end-of-life, energy efficiency, green transition, lifecycle, photovoltaic plants, recycling, renewable energy, solar energy, solar panels. |
|
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |