Photovoltaic panel recycling rate hits 99%

Fotokyklosi SA has in recent years developed an organized activity in the collection and recycling of photovoltaic panels, achieving an overall recycling rate of up to 99%. The processing of panels is carried out in cooperation with three recycling facilities in Greece, while since 2025 the entire process has been implemented within the country, at facilities located in Crete, Central Greece, and Western Macedonia.

According to the data presented, 85% of the materials recovered from processing are recycled, 14% are directed to energy recovery, and only 1% is sent for final disposal.
“These results confirm that the proper management of photovoltaic panels can produce measurable environmental benefits, provided that an organized collection and processing system is in place,” the company noted.

According to a related study by Fotokyklosi, more than 1 million tonnes of photovoltaic panel waste are expected to be generated in Greece by 2055, while approximately 200,000 tonnes are projected to appear during the period 2030–2033 alone. These projections indicate that the management of photovoltaic waste is not a marginal market issue but a key component of the energy transition.

The General Director of Fotokyklosi SA, Dimitris Christogiannopoulos, stated:

“The need for managing photovoltaic panel waste in the Greek market is currently estimated at around 2,500 tonnes. The further development of organized recycling requires the gradual and full participation of all obligated producers in the system that finances waste management, in order to ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of the alternative management model.
In this context, the announcement by the Hellenic Recycling Organization regarding the minimum recycling contribution for photovoltaic panels is expected to play a particularly important role, as it will help establish a clearer and more stable operating framework for the market.”