Sustainable Management of Photovoltaic Waste in Malaysia: A Comprehensive Review of Current Practices and Future Directions
Abstract
The rapid expansion of solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment in Malaysia has significantly contributed to national renewable energy targets and decarbonization strategies. However, this growth has simultaneously generated an emerging environmental challenge associated with end-of-life (EoL) PV waste management. Photovoltaic modules contain valuable materials such as silicon, silver, aluminum, and rare metals, but also hazardous components that require controlled handling. This paper provides a comprehensive review of sustainable photovoltaic waste management in Malaysia, synthesizing global recycling practices, life cycle impacts, and policy frameworks to identify gaps and future directions for circular economy integration. Drawing on comparative international literature, the study highlights the importance of integrating physical and chemical recycling methods, improving regulatory enforcement, and establishing structured reverse logistics systems. Prior studies emphasize that inadequate PV waste governance can lead to long-term environmental burdens and resource inefficiencies, particularly in developing countries (Mahmoudi, S., Huda, N., & Behnia, M. (2021a). Critical assessment of renewable energy waste generation in OECD countries: Decommissioned PV panels. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 164, 105145). The findings suggest that Malaysia’s current e-waste framework requires enhancement to address the projected increase in solar panel disposal. The study concludes that a transition toward circular economy-based PV waste management is essential for achieving long-term sustainability in the renewable energy sector.
Keywords
References
Similar Articles
- Dr. Michael T. Reynolds, Dr. Sofia M. Alvarez, Dr. Daniel K. Mercer, Advanced Tandem and Thin-Film Photovoltaic Architectures: An Integrative Research Study on Efficiency Limits, Numerical Optimization, Stability, and Cost Competitiveness in Perovskite, GeSe, CIGS, and Silicon Solar Cells , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 04 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 04
- Dr. Priya Deshmukh, Dr. Luca Benedetti, Maria Fernanda Rojas, OPTIMIZING GRID-CONNECTED SMART HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS: A FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS ACROSS DIVERSE CLIMATIC ZONES , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 1 No. 01 (2024): Volume 01 Issue 01
- Mei Zhang, DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS AND SIMULATION OF A STANDALONE HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEM FOR REMOTE CHINESE COMMUNITIES , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 02 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 02
- Dr. Kalkidan Tesfaye, Dr. Lars Neumann, TECHNO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY AND OPTIMIZATION OF OFF-GRID HYBRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION IN ETHIOPIA , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 06 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 06
- Hiroshi Tanaka, Omar Rahman, Integrating Solar Drying, Thermal Energy Storage, and Sodium Borohydride Hydrogen Pathways for Decentralized Sustainable Energy Systems: A Comparative and Conceptual Research Analysis , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 04 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 04
- Dr. Emmanuel K. Owusu, Assessment of Fuel Briquettes from Blends of Low- and High-Density Wood Sawdust with Palm Kernel Shell Residues , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 08 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 08
- Emmanuel Iniobong Archibong, Hilda Afeku-Amenyo, Livinus Horsfall, Emmanuel Damilola Aweda, Aboi Mishael, SOLAR ENERGY AND CLIMATIC CONSTRAINTS: ANY ALTERNATIVE FOR SUNLIGHT-DEFICIENT ENVIRONMENTS? , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 02 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 02
- Dr. Rahul S. Verma, Prof. Pooja A. Kulkarni, Integrated Thermoelectric–Heat Pipe Framework for Enhanced Waste Heat Recovery in Dual-Fuel Diesel Engine Systems , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 06 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 06
- Dr. Sandeep B. Reddy, Dr. Kavita M. Iyer, Optimized Surfactant-Integrated Mechanical Pretreatment Framework for Maximizing Biomethane Production from Food Waste Streams , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 3 No. 06 (2026): Volume 03 Issue 06
- Dr. Sandeep Rajan, Dr. Priyal Nair, INTEGRATED SOLAR TRI-GENERATION SYSTEMS: A MULTI-CRITERIA THERMO-ECONOMIC EVALUATION OF COMBINED ORGANIC RANKINE, ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION, AND KALINA CYCLES , International Journal of Renewable, Green, and Sustainable Energy: Vol. 2 No. 05 (2025): Volume 02 Issue 05
You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.